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Dr.    Mayhew's 


EleSiion  SERMON. 


May  if^th   1754. 


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a 

A 

SERMON 

Preach'd  in  the  Audience  of  His  Excellency 

WILLIAM  SHIRLEr,^% 

Captain  General,  Governour  and  Commander  inChief^ 
The  Honourable  His  Majesty's 

COUNCIL, 

And  the  Honourable  Houfe  of 

REPRESENTATIFES, 

Of  the  Province  of  the 

MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, 

I  N 
May    2C^th   1754. 

Being   the   Anniverfary    for    the   Election   of    His 
AZ^7 £5 rr's  COUNCIL  for  the  Province. 

N.  B.  The  Parts  of  fame  Paragraphs,  p/ijfsd  over  in  the  Preaching  o/^/i'/f 
Difcourje,  are  no'w  injerted  in  the  Publication. 

By  Jonathan  Mayhew,  £).£). 

Paftor  of  the  Weft  Church  in  Bofion. 

BOSTON:     N.  E. 

Printed  by  Samuel  Knfelakd,  Printer  to  the  HonourabJc 

Houfc  of  Repr«fentatives.     1754. 


In  the  Houfe  of  ReprefentatheSj 
May  30/^.  1754* 

-  .  f^Rderedy  That  the  Reprefentatives  of 
\— /  the  Town  of  Boflon  ;  together  with 
Mr.  William  Fletcher^  be  direded  to  give 
the  Thanks  of  thit  Houfe,  to  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Jonathan  Mayhewy  of  Bo/Ion^  for  his 
Sermon  preached  Yefterday  before  the  Gc- 
iieral  Court,  being  the  Annivcrfary  for  the 
Elcdion  of  Coumcellors,  and  dcfire  a 
Copy  thereof  for  the  Prefs. 

Atteft. 

Oliver  PartridgejCkr.Dom.Re^. 


c.'v'^  *^^  a^v*  a^^  «^0^»  4<^Dru  v%^  «^fV«  *.'o^  */^»  */v^  «^^  ^^  ^^k  a/G^  «^^■«  c^tl 


^^«  %^*  ^^^  %o^'  ^^^  '\§^  '^y*  '^v*  '^^v*  %0^^  ^^  ^fl/*  %iv*  %D^  ^A/^  %Qi^  %^* 


A   N 


Eleaion    SERMON. 


MATT.     XXV.  21. 

HIS  LORD  /aid  unto hhn^ Well done^ 
thou  good  and  faithful  Servant  ;  thou, 
hafi  been  faithjul 


^^^«g^H  I S  is  part  of  our  Saviour's  well-known 
M^##'§^*ll  parable  of  the  talents  ;  the  moral  of 
Js  "^.o.  "^'.%S  which  is  in  general  this,  That  whatever 
dfcrjfe^(ji&-4K  pow^''s  ^"'^  advantages  or  any  kind, 
men  feverally  enjoy,  arc  committed  to 
them  in  truft  by  the  great  Lord  and  Proprietor  of  all, 
to  whom  they  are  accountable  for  the  ufe  they  make  of 
them- ;  and  from  whom  they  Qiall,  in  the  clofe  of  this 
prefcnt  fccnc,  receive  either  a  glorious  recompence  of 

their 


2  A71  Eh  St  ion- Sermon* 

their  fidelity,  or  the  punifliment  due  to  their  floth  and 
wickednefs.  The  fubjed,  then,  is  very  general,  and 
•equally  interefting.  All  men,  of  whatever  rank  or 
character,  are  concerned  in  it.  It  leads  our  thoughts 
from  what  we  pofTefs,  up  to  the  great  fource  thereof ; 
from  what  we  are  at  prefent,  to  what  wt  (hall  be  here- 
after. It  conneds  this  world  with  another  •,  and  com- 
prehends both  our  probationary  and  final  ftate,  under 
the  righteous  adminiftration  of  God. 

But  tho'  the  fubje6t  is  very  general,  and  of  the  laft 
importance  to  all  ;  yet  civil  power  being  one  of  the 
principal  of  thofe  talents  which  Heaven  commits  to 
men,  and  the  prefent  occafion  requiring  a  more  particu- 
lar confideration  of  it,  the  enfuing  difcourfe  will  be  con- 
fined thereto.  Nor  would  I  injure  our  honoured  Rulers 
by  the  leaft  fufpicion,  that  they  can  pofTibly  take  it  amifs 
to  be  reminded  of  their  duty  to  God  and  Man  upon  this 
occafion,  with  all  the  plainnefs  and  fimplicity  becoming 
a  minifter  of  the  Gofpel,  and  confiftent  with  decency  ; 
the  rules  of  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  not  be  violated. 

Indeed  were  One  to  difcourfe  upon  this  fubjedl  be- 
fore Rulers  in  an  arbitary  government  ;  or  before  un- 
faithful Rulers,  even  where  the  conftitution  is  free  ; 
there  would  be  almoft  a  neceffity  of  difguifing  and  fup- 
prefling  the  truth,  on  one  hand,  or  of  giving  umbrage 
on  the  other.     A  miferable  dilemma  !  But  furely  there 

can 


An    EleBion-Senmn.  3 

can  be  no  necelTity  of  the  former,  nor  any  danger  of  the 
Jattcr,  under  fuch  a  government  as  theBritifh,  ajid  before 
fuch  Rulers  as  I  have  the  honour  to  fpeak  to. 

It  is  cuftomary  for  thofc  who  are  called  to  fpeak  upon 
fuch  public  occafions,  to  apologize  for  their  want  of  pro- 
per qualifications  for  the  tafk.  But  how  much  reafon 
foever  they  may  often  have  for  this,  I  think  it  is  ufually 
their  unhappinefs  not  to  be  tho't  very  fincerc  in  doing 
it.  I  fhall  therefore  wholly  omit  this  common  ceremony  ; 
becaufe  I  would  fain  be  thought  quite  in  earnefl:  in  every 
thing  I  fay  before  fo  grave  and  venerable  an  auditory, 
and  upon  fo  important  an  occafion. 

It  may  not  be  improper,  in  the  firfl:  place,  to  fpeak 
of  the  fource  and  origin  of  civil  power  :  And  then,  of 
the  great  end  of  government :  Which  two  particulars 
will  be  difpatched  in  a  few  words.  In  the  third 
place,  it  will  be  ufeful  to-  recolleft  fome  of  thofe  argU' 
ments,  by  which  thofe  who  are  veiled  with  authority, 
fhould  be  induced  to  exercife  it  with  fidelity,  fuitable  to 
the  defign  of  it.  And  fo  the  fubjedl  will  be  clofed  with 
fome  refledions,  chiefly  relative  to  this  Anniverfary,  and 
to  the  prefent  (late  of  the  Province. 

As  to  the  fource  and  origin  of  civil  power  ;  the  para- 
ble on  which  my  difcourfe  is  grounded,  fuggefts  that  it 
is  ultimately  derived  from  God,  whofc  *'  kingdom  rul- 
Cth  over' all  j"  this  being  as  truly  a  talent  committed 

by 


4  An    EleSi  ion- Sermon, 

by  Him  to  the  fidelity  of  men,  as  any  thing  elfe  can  be; 
In  this  light  it  is  confidcred  in  the  holy  fcriptures. 
It  is  not  only  agreable  to  the  original  fcheme  and  plan 
of  God's  univerfal  government,  that  civil  rule  fhould 
take  place  among  men,  in  fubordination  to  His  own  -, 
but  his  providence  is  aftually  concerned  in  raifing  thofe 
pcrfons  to  power  and  dominion,  who  are  polTefled  of  it- 
In  the  language  of  the  Prophet,  "  Wifdom  and  might 
•'  are  His.  He  removeth  kings,  and  fetteth  up  kinors. 
•*  The  mod  High  ruleth  in  the  kingdom  of  men,  and 
"  giveth  it  to  whomfoever  he  will."  The  language  of 
the  apoftles  is  not  lefs  emphatical.  They  tell  us,  that 
"  there  is  no  power,  but  of  God";  that  "  the  powers 
*'  that  be,  are  orc^ained  of  God";  and  that  "  they  are 
«  God's  Minifters. 

But  then  it  is  to  be  remembred,  that  this  power  is 
derived  from  God,  not  immediately,  but  mediately,  as 
other  talents  and  bleffings  are.  The  notions  of  any  par- 
ticular form  of  government  explicitly  inftituted  by  God, 
as  defigned  for  a  univerfal  model  ;  of  the  divine  right 
of  monarchy,  in  contradiftindion  from  all  other  modes  ; 
of  the  hereditary,  unalienable  right  of  fucceflion  ;  of  the 
defpotic,  unlimited  power  of  kings,  by  the  immediate 
grant  of  Heaven  ;  and  the  like  ;  thefe  notions  are  not 
drawn  from  the  holy  fcripcures,  but  from  a  far  lefs  pure 
and  facred  fountain.  They  are  only  the  dK'ices  of 
lawned  parafites,  or  other  gracelcfs  politicians,  to  ferve 

the 


An  EleSiion-Sermon,  5 

the  purposes  of  ambition  and  tyranny.  And  tho' tlicy 
are  of  late  date,  yet  being  traced  up  to  their  true  original, 
they  will  be  found  to  come,  by  uninterrupted  fuccefTion, 
from  him  who  was  a  politician  from  the  beginning, 

God  did  indeed  formerly  take  one  nation  under  his 
more  immediate  care  and  patronage,  eftablifhing  therein 
a  kind  of  civil  polity.  But  with  this,  the  other  nations 
of  the  world  had  no  concern  ;  nor  were  they  required  to 
imitate  it.  1:  might  be  added,  that  even  this  common- 
wealth of  Ifrael  was  not  moulded  and  modeled  who!]/ 
by  the  immediate  diiftates  of  Heaven.  Alofes^  who  fome-* 
times  confulted  God  in  the  Mount,  at  other  times  con- 
fulred  his  father-in-law  Jethro  in  Midian^  the  prince  and 
prieft  of  that  country.  By  whofe  advice,  tho'  a  mere 
j)agan,  it  was  that  the  great  Ilelnew  lawgiver,  partly 
framed  his  government.  And  it  is  to  be  obferved,  that 
this  government  did  not  put  on  the  regal  form  at  all> 
till  after  a  long  time  -,  and  then,  in  cxpr;  fs  contradidion 
to  the  counfel  of  the  Prophet,  God  declaring  that  this 
people  rejefled  Him,  in  tequefting  a  king.  To  fay  the 
leafl,  monarchical  government  has  no  better  foundatioa 
in  the  oracles  of  God,  than  any  other.  And  after  the 
efl-ablifliment  of  it  amongfl:  the  Hebrews,  the  crown, 
irftead  of  dcfcending  uniformly  to  the  elder  branch  of 
the  male  line,  was  often  bcftowed  on  a  younger ;  lome- 
times  transferred  to  another  family  •,  and  fometimes  even 
into  another  tribe  :  A.nd  this  not  without  the  divine 
ai^probation.  B  Ai^l 


An  EleSiion-Sermon, 

All  the  different  conftitutions  of  governmeA  now  in 


I' 

iivs 


the  world, are  immediately  the  creatures  of  maivs  mak- 
ing, not  of  God's.     And  indeed  the  vcftiges  of  human 
imperfedion  are  fo  manifeft  in  them,  that  it  would  be  a 
reproach  to  the  ail-wife  God  to  attribute  them  dire<5tly 
to  Him.     And  as  they  are  the  creatures  of  man's  mak- 
ing ',  fo  from  man,  from  common  confent,   it  is  that 
iawful  rulers  immediately  receive  their  power.     This  iS' 
the  channel  in  which  it  flows  from  God,  the   original 
fource  of  it.     Nor  are  any  pofTefled  of  a  greater   por- 
tion of  it,  than  what  is  conveyed   to  them  in  this  Way. 
Or  at  leaft,  rf  they  have  any  more,  they  have  it  only  as 
the  thief  or  the  robber  has  the  fpoil,  which  fraud  or  vio- 
lence has  put  into  his  hartds.     Agreably  to  what  is  here 
faid,  concerning  the  medium   of  channel  thro'  which 
power  is  derived  from  God,  government  is  fpoken  of  in 
fcripture,  as  being  both  the  ordinance  .of  God,  and  the 
ordinance  of  man  :  Of  God,  in  reference  to  His  original 
plan,  and  univerfal  Providence  ^  and  of  man,   as  it  is 
more  immediately  the  refult  of  human  prudence,  wif- 
dorn  and  concert. 

In  the  SECo:>rD  place,  we  are  juft  to  mention  the  great 
end  of  government.  And  after  the  glory  of  God,  which 
we  ufually  Confider  as  the  end  of  all  things  in  general, 
that  can  be  no  other  than  the  good  of  man,  the  com- 
mon bent^lit  of  fociety.  This  is  equally  evident  whether 
we  confider  it  as  a  divine,  or  an  human  inflitution. 

As 


'Art  FJeEiton-Sf,r?no7i^  7 

As  ij^  God's  ordinance,  it-  is  defigned  for  a  bleffing 
to  the  world.  Ic  is  inftituted  for  the  prefervat'ioh  of 
mens  perfons,  properties,  &;  various  rights,  agairift  fraud 
and  i.iwlefs  violence  \  and  that,  by  means  of  it,  we  may 
both  procure,  and  quietly  enjoy,  thofe  numerous  bleffings 
and  advantages,  which  are  unattainable  out  of  fociety, 
and  being  unconpefled  by  the  bonds  of  it.  It  is  not 
conceiveable  tliac  the  all-wife  and  good  God,  fhould  or- 
dain government  amongft  men,  but  with  a  view  to  its 
being  fubfervient  to  their  happinefs,  and  well-being  in 
the  world  :  to  be  fure,  not,  that  it  might  be  fubfervient 
to  a  contrary  one>  their" mifcry.  We  cannot  imagine  it 
pofTible  that  He  who  is  good  unto  all,  and  whofe  tender 
mercies  are  over  all  his  v^orks,  fhould  exalt  a  few  perfons 
to  power  over  the  rell,  to  be  their  opprefTors  -,  or  merely 
for  their  own  fakes,  that  they  may  amafs  riches,that  they 
may  live  in  eafc  and  fplendor,  that  they  may  riot  on  the 
produce  of  other's  toil,  and  receive  the  homage  of  mil- 
lions, without  doing  the«i  any  good.  It  were  blafphe- 
mous  to  think  that  God  has  inftituted  government  for 
fuch  a  partial,  unworthy  end. 

So  far  as  God  interpofed  in  founding  the  common- 
wealth of  Jfrael^w.  was  in  favour  to  his  chofen  people  that 
he  did  it  :  not  that  they  might  be  oppi  eACTalu!  enflaved 
by  their  own  Rulers  j  but  that  they  mi  Jit  be  delivered 
from  opprcfTion  and  flavery  and  tbeir  tafkmaftcrs  in 
F.gyp  :  And  that,bcing  brought  out  of  tlve  houfc  of  Bon- 

B  2  dage, 


5  A?i  EleSiion-Sermon. 

dage,rhey  might  be  concluded  into  a  good  land,  flowing 
with  milk  &  honey  -,  that  they  might  there  poITefs  pro- 
perty, enjoy  the  blefTing  of  equal  laws,  and  be  happy. 
Nor  is  the  general  defign  of  governm.ent  and  magiflracy 
now,  throughout  the  world,  different  from  what  it  was 
^rneng  the  Ifraelites  j  viz.  the  happinefs  of  rnen.  Ac- 
cordingly the  apoftle  tells  us  that  the  civil  magiftrate 
*'  is  the  minifter  of  God  to  us  for  good  /'  and  from 
hence  argues  the  reafonablenefs  of  fubmitting  to  his  aij- 
thority.  And  all  the  inftru(5tions  &?;  admonitions  which 
God  has  given  to  rulers  in  his  word,  exadly  correfpond 
to  this  declared  end  of  their  inftitution.  The  end  of 
government  then,  as  it  is  a  divine  ordinance,  muft  bp 
hurnan  felicity. 

And  if  we  confider  it  as  it  is  more  immediately  the 
ordinance  of  man,  the  end  muft  evidently  be  the  fame. 
It  being  founded  in,  and  fupported  by,  common  conjent. 
It  is  impoITible  the  defign  of  it  fliould  be  any  other  ; 
ilnce  we  cannot  fuppofe  that  men  would  voluntarily  enter 
into  fociecy,  and  fet  up  and  maintain  a  common  autho- 
rity, upon  any  other  principles  than  thofe  of  mutual  fe- 
curity  and  common  gopd.  Nor  is  there  any  medium 
b^tvyixt  fuch  common  confent  as  is  here  intended,  and 
plain  lavylefs  force  and  violence  ;  for  \vhith  Chriftians* 
furd'y,  ought  not  to  be  advocates.  Some  ftates  may  have 
(pwed  their  beginning,  and  more,  their  progrefs  and  en- 
largement, to  che  latter  of  thefe  caufes.      But  thefe  are 

not 


An  EleSiion-Sermon,  9 

not  to  be  drawn  into  example,  or  to  have  any  regard 
paid  to  them,  when  we  are  fpeaking  of  the  end  of  go- 
vernment. We  ought  not  to  take  our  eftimate  of  the 
defign  hereof,  from  the  views  of  banditti,  and  robbers, 
aflbciated  to  plunder  and  opprefs  others:  (tho'  even  they 
have  a  common  intereft  which  they  profefs  to  regard, 
and  which  keeps  them  together.)  But  we  are  to  form 
our  idea  of  this  end,  by  what  reafon  fuggefts  muft  be 
the  motive  with  reafonable  and  honefl:  men  to  unite  to- 
getlier  in  the  bonds  of  fociety.  And  if  we  judge  by  this 
rule,  the  end  of  government  muft  be  the  common  good 
of  all,  and  of  every  individual,  fo  far  as  is  confiltent 
therewith. 

We  are  therefore  brought  exacSlly  to  the  fame  point 
at  laft,whether  we  confider  government  as  it  is  originally 
an  appointment  of  Heaven,  or,  more  immediately,  the 
voluntary  choice  of  men.  Th?  fecurity  and  happinefs 
of  all  the  members  compofing  the  political  body,  muft 
be  the  defign  and  end  thereof,  confidered  in  both  thefc 
lights.  God  is  too  good  to  ordain  it  for  any  other  Pur- 
pofes ;  and  men,  at  leaft  love  themfelves  too  .well,  to 
chufe  it  from  any  other  principles :  Unlefs,  perhaps  we 
may  fuj^pofe  that  a  farther  defign  of  political  union,  is 
the  defence  and  patronage  of  other  perfons,  out  of  the 
fociety  ;  and  the  doing  of  good  to  all,  as  opportunity  is, 
in  providence,  afforded  for  it.  But  if  this  is  really  any 
end  at  all  ;  yet  it  being  only  a  fecondary  and  remote  one, 
it  might  have  been  pafied  over  in  filence.  But 


lo  An  RleSiion-Sermon, 

But  tho*  the  grand  end  of  government  under  all  its 
<3ifrerent  forms,  is  one,  the  good  of  the  political  body  j 
this  general  end  admits  of  various  fubdivifions,  and  is 
profecuted  in  a  variety  of  ways  ;  to  fpeak   of  which  is 
quite  beyond  the  defign  of  this  difcourfe  :  and  indeed  that 
would  be  to  deliver  a  fyilem  of  politicks,  rather  than  a 
fermon.     I  fhall  therefore  only  add  under  this  head,  that 
as  the  happinefs  of  men  in  fociety  depends  greatly  upon 
the  goodncfs  of  their  morals,  and  as  morals  have  a  clofe 
connexion  with  religion,  the  latter  as  well  as  the  former, 
ought  doubtlcfs  to  be  encouraged  by  the  civil  magiftrate  ; 
not  only  by  his  own  pious  life  &  good  example  ;  but  alfo 
by  his  laws,  as  far  as  is  confident  with  the  natural.unalie- 
nable  rights  of  every  man's  confcience.     Proteflion  is, in 
juftice,  due  to  all  perfons  indifferently,   whofe   religion 
does  not  manifeftly,  and  very  direflly,  tend  to  the  fub- 
verfion  of  the  government.     And  a  general   toleration, 
with  this  fingle  exception,  is  fo  far  from  being  pernicious 
to  fociety,  that  it  greatly  promotes  the  good  of  it  in  many 
refpcfts.     Perfecution  arid  intolerance,  are  not  only  un- 
jull,  and  criminal  in  the  fight  of  God  ;  but  they  alfo 
cramp,*  enfeeble,  and  diminifli  the  date.     And   many 
ftates,  in  other  refpe^s  politic  enough,    have  hereby 
greatly  prejudiced  themfelves,  and  ftrengthened  their  ri- 
val neighbours.     For  what  clfe  is  it,  to  butcher  multi- 
tudes of  their  own  people  on  religious  accounts,  |s  they 
have  done  i  and  to  oblige  others  of  them  to  betake  them- 
felves to  flight,  with  their  cficdls  and  .arts,  into  foreign 

countries. 


An  Ek&ion- Sermon,  ii 

countries,  where  they  may  live  fecurcly  ?  So  that  fetting 
afidc  the  great  impiety  and  unrighteoufncfs  of  this  prac- 
tice, the  impolicy  of  it  is  a  fufficient  argument  againft  ic. 
Nor,  indeed,  can  it  be  doubted  but  that  the  intcrcft  of 
true  religion,  has  been  greatly  prejudiced,  by  that  notion 
which  has  fo  generally  prevailed  inChriftendom  from  the 
days  of  Conftantine  ;  I  mean,  that  kings  could  not  be 
nurfmg  father Sy  nor  queens  nurfing  mothers,  to  theChurch, 
unlefs  they  fuckled  her  with  human  blood,  and  fed  her 
with  the  flcfh  of  thofe,  whom  angry  Ecclefiafticks  are 
pleafed  to  ftigmatizc  with  the  names  of  heretic,  fchif- 
matic  and  infidel,  -f- 

Thirdly  :  It  is  now  time  to  mention  fome  of  thofe 
arguments  by  which  Rulers  fliould  be  induced  to  excr-. 
ciic  their  power  with  fidelity,  fuitable  to  the  great  end 
and  defign  of  it.  It  is  aflferted  by  a  great  man  of  the 
1  aft  age,  "  that  the  pretended  depth  and  difficulty  in. 
**  matters  of  ftate,  is  a  mere  cheat."  And  "  from  the 
**  beginning  of  the  world,"  fays  he,  "  to  this  day,  you, 
**  never  found  a  common- wealth, where  the  leaders,  hav- 

"  ing 

t  "  Not  only  Germany,  but  all  the  Chrlftlan  Rates,'  bled  at  the 
*'  wounds  which  they— received  in---religious  wars  ;  a  rage  which 
"  is  peculiar  to  Chriftians,  who  are  ignorant  of  idolatry,  and  is  the 
•'  unhappy  confequencc  of  that  dogmatical  fpirit,  which  has  fo 
"  long  been  introduced  into  all  parties.  There  are  few  points  of 
"  controverfy  which  have  not  been  the  occafion  of  a  civil  war  ; 
*•  and  foreign  nations  (perhaps  our  own  poftcrity)  will  one  day  be 
*'  unable  to  comprehend  how  it  was  pofiible,  that  our  fore-fathcs 
**  could  kill  one  another,  for  fo  many  years  together,  and  yet,  at 
"  the  fame  ti^-nc,  be  preaching  patience,"       VoJr,  Age  of  I.  XIV. 


1 2  An   UleSiion-Ser7?2on, 

".  ing  honefty  enough,  wanted  Ikill  enough  to  lead  hef 
•*  to  her  true  intereft  both  at  home  and  abroad."  *  It 
belongs  not  to  my  funflion  to  determine  how  far  this 
affertion  will  hold  true.  But  I  may  venture  to  fay, that 
if  honefty  &  publick  fpirit  are  all  that  are  wanting, there 
are  not  wanting  arguments  enough,  founded  in  reafon 
and  religion,toengageRulers  to  a6t  from  thofe  principles. 

To  a  generous  mind,  the  public  good,  as  it  is  the  end 
of  government,  fo  it  is  alfo  fuch  a  noble  and  excellent 
one,  that  the  profpe6t  of  attaining  it  will  animate  the 
purfuit,  and  being  attained,  it  will  reward  the  pains.  The 
very  name  of  patriotifm  is  indeed  become  a  jell  with 
fome  men  -,  which  would  be  much  ftranger  than  it  is, had 
not  fo  many  others  made  a  jeft  of  the  thing,  ferving  their 
own  bafe  and  wicked  ends,  under  the  pretext  and  colour 
of  it.  But  there  will  be  hypocrites  in  politicks,  as  well 
as  in  religion.  Nor  ought  fo  facred  a  name  to  fall  into 
contempt,  however  it  may  have  been  proftituted  &  pro- 
faned, to  varnifh  over  crimes.  And  thofe  times  are  p- 
rilous  indeed,  wherein  menjimllbe  only  lovers  of  their  own 
felve;^  having  no  concern  for  the  good  of  the  public. 
Shall  we  go  to  the  pagans  to  learn  this  god-like  virtue  ? 
Even  they  can  teach  it.  And  is  there  a  Chriftian,  who  is 
required  to  love  all  men,  and  to  do  good  to  all,  as  he 
may  have  opportunityfor  it  j  is  there  aChriflian, who  does 
not  love  even  his  brethren,  the  membpi '  of  the  fame  body 

with 

f  Hfirringtvt^ 


An    EleBion-Sermoit,  i  j 

with  hlmfelf  ?  Is  there  a  Chriftian,  who  is  void  of  all 
generous  folicitude  for  his  country's  welfare  ?  Is  there, 
who  has  no  defire  to  fee  it  in  a  profperous  and  flourilhing 
condition  ?  Who  has  no  pleafure  in  a^ually  feeing  i:  fo  ? 
Is  there,  who  has  no  grief,  in  beholding  its  calamities  ? 
no  difpofition  to  ferve  it  ?  Such  a  perfon,  tho'  he  were 
of  a  private  chara«^er,  would  be  a  reproach  not  only  to 
his  religion,  a  religion  of  charity  and  beneficence,  buc 
even  to  our  common  nature,  as  corrupt  and  depraved  as 
it  is.  But  how  much  more  infamous  were  this,  in  per- 
Ibnsof  a  public  charadler  ?  in  thofe,  on  whom  the  wel- 
fare of  their  country,  under  providence,  immediately 
depends  ? 

But  it  is  not  to  be  thought  merely  an  office  of  gene- 
rofity  and  chagty,  for  Rulers  to  exert  themfelves  in  the 
fervice  of  the  public.  This  is  an  indifpenfable  duty  of 
juftice  which  they  owe  to  it,  by  virtue  of  their  ftaiion. 
They. have  taken  the  care  and  guardianfliip  thereof  upon 
themfelves :  yea  they  are  commonly  laid  unden  the  fo- 
lemn  obligation  of  an  oath,  to  ftudy  and  purfue  its  in- 
tered.  And  why  are  they  honoured  ?  why,  rewarded 
by  the  public,  but  that  the  public  may  receive  benefit 
from  them  ?  Here,  then,  are  ties,  if  poffible,  more  ftrong 
and  facred  than  thofe  of  charity  :  ties,  which  being  vio- 
lated, leave  the  violators  of  them,  guilty  of  manifcft  in- 
jultice,  and  great  impiety. 

C  Anotiieii 


14  ^n  Ele& ion-Sermon, 

Another  argument  of  feme  weight,  is,  that  people 
are  not  ufually  either  To  blind  and  infenGblc  as  not  to 
know  when  they  arc  well  governed  •,  or  fo  ungrateful  as 
not  to  acknowledge  it,  and  to  requite  their  benefadors 
fuitably  to  their  merits.  Some  men  will,  indeed  be  cap- 
tious, and  find  fault  without  reafon  :  But  it  is  a  mere 
calumny  to  reprefent  them  of  this  turn  and  temper  in 
general.  All  hiftory  fcarce  affords  an  example  of  a  peo- 
ple ruled  with  prudence,  juftice,  and  due  clemency,  but 
what  lov*d  and  honour'd  their  Rulers ;  but  what  loudly 
proclaimed  their  vertues  j  but  what,  in  all  proper  ways, 
requited  their  paternal  c^re  and  goodnefs,  while  living, 
and  reverenced  their  memory,  when  dead.  And  how 
much  more  defireable  is  this,  than  for  them  to  have  their 
ears  filled  with  cries,  complaints  and  murmurings  ?  How 
much  more  eligible  is  it,  to  live  efteemed,  and  to  have 
their  names  tranfmitted  with  honour  to  pofterity,  thafi 
to  be  the  objefts  of  public  hatred,  as  being  rather  tafk- 
maftcrs  than  fathers  ;  and  to  leave  no  remembrance  be- 
hind them,  but  of  their  felfilliners  and  injuftice  -,  their 
unfaithfulnefs  and  oppreflions  ? 

It  were,  moreover,  to  be  wifhed,  thatRulers  (efpecially 
Legiflators,  whom  I  have  all  along  chiefly  in  view)  would 
ferioufly  confider  how  much  their  own  beloved  pofterity 
may  fee  afi'eded  by  their  counfels  and  conduct.  The 
effe£t  of  public  counfels  and  rcfolutions,  whether  good  or 
bad,  is  not  fo  tranficnt  as  they  are  themfelves.     Even  re- 

mo:c 


An    EleEi  ion- Sermon.  1 3 

mote  generations  often  feel  the  confequence  of  them.  By 
wife  and  good  laws,  and  a  proper  condufl  in  other  re- 
fpefls,  the  governors  of  a  people,  lay  a  foundation,  by 
God's  blcfTing,  not  only  for  the  welfare  of  the  generation 
prefenr,  but  alfo  for  the  profperity  of  thofe  vv^ho  may 
come  after  them.  In  doing  which,  they,  in  efFefb,  leave 
the  mod  valuable  legacy  to  their  own  offspring  j  where- 
as, by  a  contrary  conduit,  ihey  entail  on  them  only  mi- 
fery  and  ruin.  This  confideration  will  be  of  great  weight, 
not  only  with  perfons  of  a  truly  patriot  and  public  fpirit  j 
but  even  with  all  fuch  as  are  not  without  natural  affe5lion ; 
with  all,  who  would  not  have  their  memory  curfed  after 
they  are  gone,  even  by  thofe  who  fliould  rifd  up,  and  call 
them  blejfed. 

A  FARTHER  argument  may  be  drawn  from  this  con- 
fideration, that  Rulers  derive  their  power  fromGod,  and 
are  ordained  to  be  his  minijiers  for  good.  They  are  not 
only  entrufled  by  man  with  the  care  of  the  public;  but 
by  God  himfclf,  ihe  fupreme  lawgiver,  that  they  may  be 
the  inftruments  of  his  goodnefs  and  munificence.  This 
do<5lrine,  that  rulers  are  God's  minifters,  and  cloathed 
with  authority  delegated  from  Him,  has  far  too  often 
been  made  ufe  of  as  a  topic  of  compliment  and  adulation, 
in  order  to  footh  them, and  pufF  them  up  w'jth  vain  im4- 
ginations.  And  fo  fuccefsful  have  the  fervile  adorers  of 
Princes  fometimes  been,  in  the  management  of  it,  as  to 
make  them  concept  themfelves  almoil  literally  Gods,  and 

C  2  Uf 


1 6  An  RleBion-Sermon. 

to  think  their  fubjefls  fcarce  better  than  brutes,  made 
only  for  their  fervice.     That  the  title  intended,  denotes 
their  dignity,  and  the  honour  which  they  may  juftly  ex- 
peft,  no  one  can  queftion.     But  the  grand  inference  they 
themfelves  ought  to  draw  from  hence,  is,  that  they  fhould 
imitate  the  juflice  and  unwearied  goodnefs  of  that  God, 
whofe  minifters  they  are  ;  and  exercife  the  power   with 
which  His  providence  has  cloathed  them,  to  that  graci- 
ous end,  for  which   it  is  given.     When  they  profecute 
the  true  interefts  of  the  pubHc,  and  diffufe  happinefs  a- 
round  them,  then,  and  only  then,  they  ad  up  to  their 
honourable  charadter.     They  then  anfwer  the  noble  pur- 
pbfes  for  which  Heaven  exalted  them  •,  and  are  fecond- 
Jng  the  benevolent  defigns  of  providence,  being  workers 
together  with  God.     And  what  cati  more  aniniate  a  con- 
i'lderate  man  to  fidelity  in  his  trufl;,  than  this  refledion, 
That  while  he  is  thus  fervjng  his  generation,  he  is  doing 
it  according  to  the  will  of  Qod  ?  that  hf  therein  concurs 
>vith  the  defigns  of  the  greateft  and  beft  of  Beings,  the 
fCreator  and  Lord  of  all,  who  is  good  unto  all  ?  It  is  an 
honeft  joy,  4  pleafure  truly  divine,  that  muft  refult  from 
jiich  confcious  integrity. 

Christian  Rulers  ll^ould,  moreover,  always  have  in 
view  the  example  of  our  bleflcd  Lord  and  Redeemer,  to 
whom  all  power  in  Heaven  and  in  earth  is  given.  All  his 
i:iws  are  calculated  for  the  good  of  his  fubjedls ;  and  he 
governs  thrm,  in  order  to  render  them  happy.     He  was 

the 


An    EleBion- Sermon.  i*j 

the  king  foretold,  who  was  to  "  reign  in  right eouf- 
nefs."  After  Him  fhould  all  the  princes  and  rulers  of  the 
earth  copy.  And  if  they  did  fo,  the  great  objedt  and 
end  of  their  government,  would  be  to  blcfs  mankind- 
Bur  the  argument  fuggefted  in  my  text,  is  of  the 
greatefl  weight  and  folemnity  of  any  that  can  be  tho'c 
of;  viz.  the  account  which  all  men  are  to  give  of  their 
condufl  hereafter,to  the  judge  of  quick  and  dead.  That 
fame  Lord,  who  has  given  to  one  of  his  fervants  five 
talents,  to  another  two,  and  to  another  one,  will  come  at 
the  appointed  time  to  reckon  with  them  ;  and  to  render 
to  every  man  according  to  his  deeds.  Nor  are  there  any 
perfons  who  have  more  reafon  to  aim  at  approving  them- 
felves  to  Him,  than  civil  Rulers,  who  have  fo  great  a 
charge.  It  is  an  eflabliflied  maxim  of  God's  equal  go- 
vernment, that  "  unto  whomfoever  much  is  given,  of 
*'  him  j[hall  much  be  required,"  Nor  does  He,  at  whofe 
tribunal  they  are  to  appear,  regard  the  perfons  of  princes 
any  more  than  of  their  flaves.  They  are  all  equally  His 
fervants.  Happy  !  thrice  happy  !  thdfe  who  fliall  then 
be  found  faithful  ;  for  then  fliall  they  enter  into  the  joy 
cf  their  Lord.  Not  fo,  the  flothful  and  wicked  fervanr, 
who  has  either  negleded,  or  wilfully  mifapplied,  the 
talents  committed  to  him  !  Innumerable,  alas !  innu- 
merable are  the  miferies  and  calamities  which  have  ac- 
crued, and  are  daily  accruing,  to  mankind,  from  the 
abijfe  of  that  very  power,  which  was  defigned  to  prevent 

them, 


i^  An   EleSiion-Senno7t. 

them,  and  to  be  inftrumental  of  good  to  all  that  are  un- 
der it.  Heaven  beholds  thefe  things  :  And  fhall  not 
Heaven,  at  length,  vifit  for  them  !  "  Shall  not  the  judge 
of  all  the  earth  do  right  !'* 

Rulers  furely,  even  the  mofl:  dignified  and  powerful 
of  them,  fhould  not  be  fo  elevated  with  the  thoughts  oi 
their  pewer,  as  to  forget  from  whom  it  comes ;  for  what 
purpofes  it  is  delegated  to  them  ;  whofc  impartial  eye  it 
is  that  furveys  all  their  counfels,  defigns  and  adlions ;  and 
who  ills  that  will,  one  day,  exad  an  account  of  their 
ftewardfliip.  If  only  the  hand  upon  the  wall,  caufed  the 
haughty  Babylonian's  knees  to  fmite  one  againft  another ; 
what  amazement  will  feize  the  proud  opprefibrs  of  the 
earth,  when  they  fhall  behold  the  "  Ton  of  man  coming 
"  in  the  clouds  of  Heaven,  with  all  the  holy  angels  v.?ith 
"  Him"!  The  apocalypfe  of  St.  John  informs  us  how 
different  fentimcnts  the  kings  of  the  earthy  and  the  great 
meuy  and  the  chief  captains,  and  the  mighty  men .SkidW  then 
entertain  of  theipfelves,  from  thofc  which  they  are  too 
apt  to  entertain  at  prefent.  You  will  then  fee  many  of 
thofe  who  made  the  world  tremble  and  (loop  before 
them,  in  vain  attempting  to  hide  themfdves  in  the  dens 
and  in  the  rocks  of  the  mountains  I  But 

It  now  remains  to  make  fome  reflcflions  upon  this 
fubjed,  and  to  apply  it  to  the  prefent  occafion. 

Akd 


An  Ele^ ion -Sermon*  iq 

And  we  arc  reminded  by  the  preceeding  difcourfe, 
how  great  a  blefling  good  government  is  •,  and  what 
gratitude  becomes  thofe  whom  God,  in  his  providence, 
favours  with  it.  Inconfidcratc  men  are  too  apt  to  think 
government  rather  a  burden,  than  a  blelTing  -,  rather,  as 
what  fome  pcrfons  have  invented  for  their  own  particular 
advantage,  than  what  God  has  inftituted  for  the  good  of 
all.  This  is,  under  Him,  the  great  guard  and  fecurity 
of  mens  property,  peace,  rehgion,  lives ;  of  ef  ery  thing 
here,  for  which  it  is  worth  while  to  live.  And  this  is  ^ 
blcfllng  which  Britifh  fubjeds  enjoy,  in  as  high  a  degree, 
perhaps,  as  any  other  people.  It  is  their  felicity  to  ht 
governed  by  fuch  men,  and  by  fuch  laws,  as  themfelves 
approve  5  without  which  their  boafted  liberty  wou'd, 
indeed,  be  but  an  empty  name.  The  form  of  our  go- 
vernment is  juftly  the  envy  of  mod  other  nations  ;  efpe- 
cially  of  thofe  which  have  either  no  parliaments  at  all,  or 
fuch  as  may  be  baniflied  at  the  word  and  pleafure  of  6 
tyrant ;  which  comes  much  to  the  fame  thing.  We  have 
alfo,for  fcvcral  late  reigns,  been  blefled  with  Princes  too 
jull  &  good  to  encroach  upon  the  rights  of  their  fubje(5ls, 
and  too  wife  to  think  that  Britons  can  endure  a  chains. 
Happy  had  it  been  for  fome  former  Princes,  as  well  as 
for  their  people,  had  they  been  endowed  with  the  fame 
moderation,  jullice  and  wifdom  !— 

Persoxs 


20  An  EleSiion- Sermon* 

Persons  of  a  private  charadter  are,  moreover,  admo- 
nifhed  of  the  reverence  and  fubmifiion,  which  they  owe( 
to  government  as  it  is  God's  ordinance  ;  and  as  Rulers 
derive  their  power  from  him.     Were  this  no  more  than 
an  human  inftitution,  yet  it  would,  in  the  nature  of  the 
thing,  demand  great  refpeft  -,  that  being  neceflary  even 
to  the  prefervation  of  it  in  the  world,  and  fo,  to  peoples 
reaping  thofe  numerous  advantages  which  accrue  from 
it.     But  when  we  refleft;,  that  this  is  an  appointment  of 
Heaven,  it  fuggefts  that  we  fhould  be  fubjedl  even  "  for 
confcience  fake j"  and  that  we  cannot  behave  undutifully 
towards  our  Rulers,  without  alfo  rebelling  againft  God. 
Nor  is  it  eafy  to  mention  any  duty  which  the  gofpel  in- 
culcates upon  the  confciences  of  men,  with  greater  fo- 
lemnity,than  that  of  paying  due  honour  toKings,and  all 
that  arc  in  authority.    However,  it  is  not  to  be  forgotten, 
that  as  in  all  free  confiitutions  of  government,law,and  not 
will,  is  the  meafure  of  the  executive  Magiftrate's  power ; 
fo  it  is  the  meafure  of  the  fubjed's  obedience  and  fub^ 
miflion.     The  confequence  of  which,  I  fhall  at  prefenC 
leave  others  to  draw  ;  only  obferving,   that  it  is   very 
ftrange  we  fhould  be  told,  at  this  time  of  day,  that  loy- 
alty and  flavery  mean  the  fame  thing  *,  tho'  this  is  plainly 
the  amount  of  that  dodtrine  which  fome,  even  now,  have 
the  forehead  to  ventilate,   in  order  to  bring  a  reproach 
upon  i.he  Rsvokimi  upon  the  prefenc  happy  fettlement 

of 


j4n    "EleEi ion- Sermon,  2\ 

of  the  crown,  and  to  prepare  us  for  the  dutiful  reception 
of  an  hereditary  Tyrant. 

It  is  moreover  fuggefted  by  what  has  been  faid  upon 
this  fubjefljhovv  much  care  and  integrity  fl^ioiild  be  exer- 
cis'd  in  the  choice  of  thofe,  who  are  to  have  a  fliare  in 
government  \  that  they  may  not  be  unworthy  of  it   If  ic 
ever  happens  in  countries  "of  hbercy,.  that  the  condufl  of 
public  affairs  fallsinlo  the  hands  of  weak  or  diihonefl:  men, 
the  people  will  fcarce  be  the  lefsmiferable,  becaufe  they 
had  the  choice  of  thele  men  themfclves  •,  tho'  they  will 
be  the  lefs  to  be  pitied.     People  have,  in  fome  countries, 
been  fo  regardlefs  of  their  own  welfare,  as  to   give  too 
much  encouragement  to  defigning  men, who  would  prac- 
tife  upon  them  •,  yea,  as  to  make  an  infamous  merchant 
dize  of  their  hands  and  voices  to  the  higheft  bidder, 
without  any  confideration  of  merit,  of  capacity  or  incli- 
nation to  ferve  the  public.     It  is  not  eafy  to  determine, 
who  are  the  mod  criminal,  they  who  would  make  their 
way  to  places  of  power  and  trull,  by  indircift  means,  or 
they  who  have  fo  little  concern  ior  the  welfare    of  their 
country,  as  to  hearken  to  them,  and  to  become  the  tools 
of  their  ambiiion  and  covetoufncfs.     And  how  faithfully 
they  are  likcJy  to  ferve  their  country,   who  let  out  witii 
corrupting  it  \   they  who  afpire  to  a  part  in  the  govern- 
incnt,  by  bribing  the  avaricious,  by  flattering  the  foolifli, 
and  making  fine  promifes  to  the  credulous  i  is  not  hard 

to  conjedlure» 

D  Sir 


2  2  An   EleBion-Sermon* 

Sir  Thomas  More  tells  us,  in  his  model  of  a  common- 
wealth, that  the  wife  and  virtuous  Utopians^  "  take  an 
'*  oath,  before  they  proceed  to  an  eleflion,  that  they 
"  will  chafe  him  whom  they  think  meeteft  for  the 
"  office  :"  and  that,  '*  if  a  man  afpires  to  an  office,  he 
*'  is  fure  never  to  compafs  it."  Some  will  perhaps  think 
it  a  pity,  that  it  is  only  an  Utopiay  an  imaginary  region, 
where  fuch  maxims  are  faid  to  prevail.  People  being 
under  no  undue  influence,  would  doubtlefs  make  abetter 
choice"  than  they  often  do,  in  thofe  places,  where  impor- 
tunity fupplies  the  want  of  wifdom  in  the  candidate  ;  and 
the  fpirit  of  corruption,  the  fpirit  of  patriotifm.  As  to 
men  of  real  worth,  it  is  a  pity  t  hey  (hould  be  put  upon 
violating  their  natural  modefl:y,by  proclaiming  their  own 
iliperiour  qualifications  for  ferving  the  publick  -,  and  by 
folliclting  an  acknowledgment  hereof.  It  is  ftill  harder, 
that  thofe  who  are  moft  capable  of  ferving  their  country, 
ihould  be  obliged  to  reward  others  for  the  liberty  of  do- 
ing it.  Such  men  fliould  furely  be  made  choice  of,  freely 
and  voluntarily,  without  being  forced,  as  it  were,  either 
to  beg  or  to  buy,  a  confefiion  of  their  great  merit  ;  ef- 
pecialiy  becaufe,  in  this  cafe,  fome  people  of  a  jealous 
temper,  may  be  apt  tofufped:,  that  they  have  fomething 

€lfc  more  at  heart,  than  the  good  of  their  country. 

Indeed  the  experience  of  all  ages  has  proved,  that  men 
of  the  greatelt  merit,  do  the  mod  difdain  thofe  arts  and 
praftices,  of  which  others  ferve  themfelves  with  the  un- 
wary -, 


Aji   EleSlio7t-Sermo7t,  23 

wary  ;  and  that  thofe  who  are  the  mofl:  addicted  to  them, 
arc  commonly  the  leaft  fit  to  be  trufted,  either  in  refped 
of  capacity  or  integrity,  or  both. 

•  God  forbid,  that  ever  fuch  things  fl:ould  become 
fafhionable  and  reputable  amongft  us  \  or  that  any  Son 
of  New-  England^  fhould  prove  fuch  a  profane  E[au^  as  to 
fell  his  birthright !  Our  anceftors, .  tho*  not  perfefl  and 
infallible  in  all  refpedls,  were  a  religious,  brave  and  ver- 
tuous  fet  of  men,  whofe  love  of  liberty,  civil  and  religi- 
ous, brought  them  from  their  native  land,  into  the  Ame- 
rican deferts.  By  their  generous  care,  it  is,  under  the 
fmiles  of  a  gracious  providence,  that  we  have  now  here 
a  goodly  heritage  j  and  fee  ihefe  once  dcfart  and  folitary 
places  rejoiciag  and  bloflbming  as  ihe  rofe,  the  glory  of 
Lebanon  being  given  unto  them,  the  excellency  of  Carmel 
and  of  Shaioa.  By  the  wifdom  8c  piety  of  our  fore-fathers 
it  is,  under  that  God  who  hath  determined  the  bounds'of 
all  mens  habitation,  that  we  here  enjoy  many  invaluable 
privileges  i  of  which  this  day,  amongll  other  things,  is  a 
proot  &  monument.Tho'  we  are  not  an  indepcndant  Rate, 
yet,  Heaven  be  thanked  !  we  are  a  free  people.  However 
all  know,  that  it  is  not  from  our  privileges  and  liberties, 
fimply  confidercd,  but  from  the  ufe  we  make  of  them> 
that  our  felicity  is  to  be  expefted.  And  they  are  fo 
great  and  ample,  that  the  right  improvement  of  them, 
cannot  but  make  us  haj^py,  provided  we  have  the  vertue 
and  honour  to  make  fuch  a  one   ot  them.     Nor  can  I 


24  -^^  EleiSion-Sermon, 

think  we  are  fo  far  degenerated  fronfi  the  laudible  fpi- 
rit  of  our  Anceftors,  as  to  defpife  and  abufe  what  they 
procured  for  us  at  fo  dear  a  rate.  I  am  not  willing  to 
believe  we  are  running  fo  fafl:  into  the  evil  praflices  and 
cuftoms  of  other  places ;  or  fo  fond  of  imitating  the 
fafhionable  follies  and  vices  of  any,  even  of  thofe  whom 
decency  may  perhaps  require  us  to  call  cur  betters,  as 
fome  would  infinuate  that  we  are  -,  and  from  hence 
prognoflicate  our  defl:ru(5lion.  No  :  I  will  not  believe 
but  that  we  fear  God,  reverence  the  memory  of  our  fore- 
fathers, love  our  country  and  ourfclves,  more  than  to  do 
thus  ;  and  that  God  will  flill  give  us  to  fee  the  good  of 
his  chofen. 

But  long  cuftonr  requires  that,  upon  this  occafion, 
I  apply  myfelf  more  particularly  to  our  honouredRulers ; 
or,  at  leaft,  cuftom  will  fcrene  me  from  the  imputation 
of  prefumption  in  doing  it.  To  you,  therefore,  the  Le- 
giflators  and  political  Fathers  of  the  country,  I  would 
now,  with  all  proper  humility  and  defference,  dired  my 
difcGurfe. 

I  would  nor,  much  honpured  Fathers,  willingly  go 
beyond  my  line  in  apy  refped:.  But  furely  1  fhould  for- 
get the  proper  duty  of  my  ftation,  if  1  did  not  embrace 
the  ppportunity  which  rhis  day  affords  me,  to  befeech 
you,  as  you  fear  God,  whofe  minjftcrs  you  are  j  as  you 
love  the  country,  whofr  welfare  dc'pends  upon  you  i  as 

you 


An  EieFiion-Sermon.  25 

you  regard  that  good  name,  which  is  as  precious  ointment^ 
and  rather  to  be  chofen  than  great  riches  •,  as  you  have  any 
concern  for  pofterity,  even  your  own  -,  as  you  would  en- 
joy the   blefled  peace  of  a  good  confcience,  in  life  and 
death  j  and,  in  fine,  as  you  would  be  found  of  our  com^- 
mon  judge  in  peace,  in  the  day  of  his  appearing  -,  if  I 
did  not  befeech  and  exhort  you,  by  all  thefe  motives,  to 
be  faithful  in  the  difcharge  of  ihattruft  which  is  devolved 
upon  you  by  God  and  man  ;  to  let  no  unworthy  views 
influence  your  condud  j  but  in  all  things  to  confult  and 
profecute  the  public  good.     You  are  very  fenfible,  my 
Fathers,  that  this  is  your  indifpenfable  duty.  Your  God, 
your  king,  your  country,  all  expeft  this  of  you.     Nor 
could  you  anfwer  it  to  either  of  them  •,  no,  not  even  to 
yourfclves,   fhould  you  negledt  it.     It  is,  I  truft  from  a 
fenfe  of  duty  to  God,  in  whofe  name  I  am  now  called  to 
fpeak,  and  from  an  affedionate   concern  for  the  welfare 
of  my  dear,  native  country,  not  from  a  vain  afi^ed:ation 
of  putting  on  the  monitor  towards  my  fuperiours,  that  I 
ufe  this  freedom  of  fpeech,  and  fuch  importunity.     And 
if  it  fcrves,  in  any  meafure,  by  the  blefiing  of  God,  to 
awaken  your  zeal  for  His  honour,  and  for  the  profperity 
of  this  people,  the  intent  of  it  is  anfwered. 

There  is  but  little  probability,  that  thofe  who  fear 
not  God,  will  much  regard  man  •,  or  that  they  who  have 
not  an  habitual  fcnfe  of  His  authority  over  themfelves, 
will  exercife  that  which  he  has  given  them  over  others, 

as 


26  An  Ele&ion-Ser^on, 

as  they  ought  to  do.  Be  pleafed,  therefore,  always  to 
bear  in  mind  that  glorious  Being,  who  is  ever  with  you  : 
who  fpake  all  worlds  into  exiftence  ;  whofe  power  fuf- 
tains  and  governs  all  things  ;  in  whofe  prefence  no 
feraph  is  unveiled  j  at  whofe  frown,  apoftate  fpirits  trem- 
ble ;  before  whom  all  **  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are 
.*'  reputed  as  nothing:"  whofe  "  eyes  ever  view,  and 
"  whofe  eyelids  try  the  children  of  men  :  That  rightc- 
''  ous  Lord  who  loveth*  righteoufnefs  j"  and  under 
whofe  adminiftration,  all  men  fhall  at  laft  find  their  ac- 
count in  an  upright  condud:,  and  in  that  alone.  While 
you  have  a  juft  fenfe  of  thefe  things  upon  your  minds, 
you  will  purfue  no  unworthy  ends  :  you  will  have  the 
intereft  of  the  public  at  heart :  you  will  be  inquifitive 
about  the  bed  meafures  of  promoting  it  i  and  "  attend 
"continually  upon  this  very  thing." 

It  is  an  important  branch  of  the  legiflature  for  the 
enfuing  year,  that  is  this  day  to  be  chofen  -,  a  branch 
of  great  honour,  weight  and  influence  in  the  government. 
Bcfides  the  known  part  which  the  gentlemen  of  that  ho- 
nourable board,  will  have  to  aft  in  a  legiflative  capacity  ; 
they  will  have  another,  which  demands,  at  leaft,  equal 
wifdom,  equal  uprightnefs,  equal  fortitude  j  that  of 
"  freely  giving  advice,  at  all  times,  to  the  Governor,  for 
**  the  good  management  of  the  public  affairs  of  the  gQ- 
"  vernment ;"  according  to  the  form  of  their  oath.  The 
world  does  not  abound  with  perfons,  in  whom  all  ihofe 

qualities 


An   EleBion-Sermonn  2y 

qualities  concur,  which  render  them  fit  fxv.Advifers  and 
counccJJois,  even  in  matters  of  far  Jefs  moment.     But 
fuperiour  wifdom  and  difcretion  ;  a  good  knowledge  of- 
the  nature  of  government  in  general  j  of  the  BritilH  ia 
particular  ;  of  our   charter  rights,  and  this  provincial 
conftitution  •,  a  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  circumr? 
ftances  of  tlie  province,  and  with  its  true  interefls ;  a 
generous  &  public  fpiric  •,  great  honefty  and  intrepidity, 
fuch  as  will  not  waver  with  every  gale  of  popular  breath,, 
or  any  other  breath  ;   thefe  furely  are  the  qualities,  which 
are  naturally  expeded  to  be  found,in  all  who  have  a  feat  ac 
that  refpeflable  board.  Should  there  be  ever  feen  hereafter^ 
(a  fuppofition  which  1  do  not  make  without  great  reluc- 
tance i  but  (hould  there  ever  be  feen  hereafterjat  the  coua". 
cil  boardy.aperfonofa  low  capacity,  of  little  knowledge 
and  difcretion  i  one,  almoft  ignorant  of  the  laws,  govern- 
ment, and  circumftances,  even  of  his  own  country  ;  one^ 
of  a  narrow,  felfifh,  avaricious  turn  \  one,  of  little  integ- 
rity and  little  fortitude  ;  one,  afraid  to  difclofe  his  mind^ 
when  advice  is  to  be  given  "  freely  for  the  good  ma- 
*'  nagement  of  the  public  affairs  ;"  Ihould  fuch  a  one 
be  ever  feen  hereafter  at  that  board  ;  this,  furely  would 
not  feem  very  agreable  to  its  known  ftyle  and  charafter 
of  honourable.     And  all  who  are  concerned  in   the  ap- 
proaching eleftion,  will  regard  thofe  qualities  which  tend 
to  fupport  and  juftify  that  title  ;  exercifing  a  care  pro- 
portionate to  the  importance  and  dignity  of  fuch  a  truftc 

I 


28  An  EleSlion- Sermon. 

I  mean  they  will  do  fo,  provided  they  are  afluated  in 
this  affair,  by  fuch  principles  as  become  men  and 
Chriftians  ;  the  principles  of  fidelity  to  God,  and  love 
to  the  country.  Taking  it  for  granted  therefore,  that 
thefc  are  the  principles  which  will  govern  in  the  enfuing 
choice,  in  oppofition  to  thofe  of  party,  perfonal  friend^  > 
fliips  and  perfonal  enmities  -,  and  to  all  private  intereft  > 
taking  this  for  granted,  I  fay,  I  would  now  beg  leave, 
honoured  Fathers,  to  mention  fome  other  things  that 
may  poffibly  deferve  confideration  ;  tho'  with  great  fub- 
miflion  and  defference,  knowing  that  to  prefcribe,  is  not 
my  province. 

It  may  be  worth  confidering,  whether  we  have  not 
fonie  laws  in  force,  hardly  reconcileable  with  that  reli- 
gious liberty  which  we  profefs ;  and  which  the  Royal 
charter  exprefly  requires  fhould  be  preferved  inviolate. 
A  neighbouring  colony,  we  know,  has  lately  been  repri- 
manded on  account  ol  fome  laws  oi  a  perfecuting  afpeft;'^ 
And  whether  fome  of  our  own,  are  of  a  genius  and  com- 
plexion fufficiently  abhorrent  from  the  fame  fpirit,is  not, 
perhaps,  unworthy  the  confideration  of  the  legiflature. 

The  ftate  of  our  College  can  neither  be  forgotten, 
nor  enough  lamented,  by  thofe  who  wifti  to  fee  learning 
duly  honoured,  and  in  a  flourifhing  condition.  Indeed 
if  literature  and  the  mufes  chiefly  haunted  where  poverty 
refidcs — But  this  a  thread-bare  topic. —  Long  live  the 

names 


An    Ele&ion" Sermon,  29 

names  of  our  venerable  fore-fathers,  who  did  fo  much 
for  the  promotion  of  liberal  fcience,  in  the  infant  (late  of 
the  country  !  Long,  the  names  of  all  the  generous,  be- 
nefadlors  to  this  fcminary  of  learning  !  Long,  the  namea 
of  Harvard,  Stoughton,  Holus,  Berkeljey  ! 

The  want  of  fome  a6t  efFeftualiy  to  fettle  claims  and 
quiet  poflelTions,  efpecially  in  the  frontier's  of  the  Pro- 
vince, is  much  complained  of  by  many  :  not  merely,  as 
what  renders  private  property  too  precarious  ;  but  alfo  as 
what  is  prejudicial  to  the  pubhck,  in  more  refpeds  thaa 
one. 

There  is  fuch  a  fpirit  in  fome  refpeds,  now  appear- 
ing, and  growing,  amongft  us,  as  being  duly  encouraged 
by  the  legiflature,  cannot,  with  the  ordinary  blefling  of 
providence,  but  be  of  happy  confequence.  We  ate 
grown  pretty  fenCble  of  the  importance  of  improving 
our  lands,  better  than  formerly  ;  that  fo  we  may  not  be 
beholden  for  our  diily  bread,  unlefs  it  is  to  Him,  to 
whom  we  pray  for  it.  It  is  not  improbable,  from  the 
late  experiments  of  fome  public  fpirited  Gentlemen,  that 
we  might  have  a  valuable  ftaple,  by  means  of  that  fruic 
which  delights  fo  much  in  our  foil  ;  as  well  as  greatly 
kflfen  the  importation  of  foreign  liquors.  Something 
confiderablc  has,  of  late,been  done  towards  the  eftablifli- 
ing  of  ufeful  manufactures  among  us  :  none  of  which, 
it  is  to  be  hop«d,  will  fall  thro*  and  mifcarry,  for  warn 

K  of 


30  An   EleBion-Sermon, 

of  proper  encouragement  from  the  govern mcnr.  The 
fifhery  now  of  late  projefled,  and  carried  on,  from  this 
Capital,  cannot  fail  to  be  of  great  Advantage  to  it,  in  the 
low  and  declining  ftate  of  its  commerce  •,  and,  indeed, 
to  the  whole  province  -,  at  leaft  as  long  as  the  mortifying 
religion  of  lent,  is  upheld  in  foreign  countries.— 

To  thefe  Things,which  have  a  favourable  afpeft,  may 
be  added  the  zeal  fhown  by  many  for  the  introda6tion 
of  foreign  Proteftants.  It  is  large  importations  of  this 
fort,  not  of  other  European  commodities,  that  has  made 
one  of  our  Britifii  provinces  rich  and  populous,  in  the 
courfe  of  a  few  years  ;  fo  that,  of  an  inconfiderable  fec- 
tlement,  it  now  vies  with  the  greateft  and  moft  opulent. 
And  that  which  may,  perhaps,  render  it  the  more  expe- 
dieiit  thus  to  increafe  our  numbers.  Is  the  probability  that 
we  fhall,  before  long,  have  other  employment  than  agri- 
culture, and  the  blefled  arts  of  peace,  for  many  of  out 
own  people  :  I  mean,  in  curbing  and  chaftizrng  the  in- 
fblence  of  our  neighbours  on  the  Continent  •,  neighbours, 
whofe  perfidy  renders  them  a  more  formidable  enemy 
even  in  peace,  than  either  their  number  or  bravery  in 
war. 

It  is  not  a  little  furprizing  to  rnany  peirfons  abroad, 
that  this  government  has  been  at  no  greater  expence, 
and  taken  no  nrore  pains,  to  civilize  the  natives  of  the 
country  ;  and  to  propagate  amongft  them  the  glorious 

Gofpel 


An    Ele&ion-Sermon,  3 1 

Gofpel  of  our  Redeemf  r :  Efpecially  confidering  one 
pfoleneddefign  of  our  fore-fathers  in  coming  hither,  our 
own  high  pretenfions  to  religion,  and  our  own  interefc. 
Indeed  there  is  fome  reafon  to  fear,  that  even  the  dona- 
tions of  perfons  abroad,  and  enrrufted  with  otliers  here, 
in  America,  for  carrying  on  fo  pious  and  good  a  defign, 
have  not  always  been  applied  with  that  care,  impar- 
tiality and  faithfulnefs,  which  might  have  been  julUy 
expeded.  But  this  not  being  a  matter  wherein  the  go- 
vernment is  immediately  concerned,  I  (hall  fay  no  more- 
of  it  :  and  fome  will,  perhaps,  think  that  even  this  is 
too  much. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  You,  our  honoured  Rulers,  will 
not  neglcfl  any  means  that  are  proper  to  be  ufed'by  th« 
government,  to  humanize  and  chriftianize  thefe  poor 
Salvages.  Charity  requires  this,  and  requires  it  the 
more,  becaufe  they  will,  otherwife,  be  in  great  danger 
of  apoHatizing  fron)  their  natural  paganifm  and  barbari- 
ty, into  that  whiJi  is  worfe,  the  religion  of  Rome  »  ^ 
religion,  calculated  rather  to  make  men  wicked,  than  to 
keep  them  from  being  fo,  or  to  reform  them  after  they 
are  become  fo.  We  know  the  great  pains,  and  various 
artifices,  that  arc  ufcd  by  theRomifli  milfionares,  to  con- 
vert them  to  this  wicked  religion.  Nor  can  One  well 
help  calling  to  mind  here,  the  words  of  our  bleflcd  Savi- 
our :  *'  Woe  unto  you  •, —  for  ye  compafs  fea  and  land 
"  to  make  one  profelyte  •,  and  when   he  is    made,  ye 

«  make  him  two-fold  more  the  child  of  hell,"  &c. 

li  2  -'    But, 


32  -An   'EleB ton-Sermon, 

But,  as  was  intimated  before,  were  compaffion  to  the 
fouls  of  thefe  miferable  pagans  wholly  out  of  the  cafe, 
even  policy  requires  us   to  bring  them,  if  poffible,  to 
embrace  the  proteftant  faith.     This  would  be  one  great 
means,  amongfl:  others  not  fo  proper  to  be  mentioned  in 
this  place,  of  attaching  them  to  the  Britilh  intereft  : 
"Whereas  they  will,  otherwife,  probably  be  our  enemies. 
And  what  fort  of  enemies  we  are  to  expedt  in  them,  is 
no  hard  matter  to  conjc(5turc,fince  the  great  duties  which 
the  mifTionaries  of  Rome 'inculcate  upon  their  favage 
converts,  are  thofe  of  butchering  and  fcalpingProteftans: 
Generous  enemies,  doubtlefs,  when  their  native  ferocity 
5s  whetted  and  improved  by   a  religion,  that  nacurally 
delights  in  blood  and  murder  ! 

That  which  feems,  at  prefent,  chiefly  to  engage  the 
attention  of  the  public,  is  the  Britifli  fettlements  on  the 
Continent  being  now,  in  a  manner,  encompafled  by  the 
French.     And  this  is  a  matter  of  much  more  ferious 
importance  than  it  would  be,  were  it  not  for  the  nume- 
Tons  tribes  of  warlike  natives  on  our  back  \  who,  it  is  to 
be  feared,  are  more  generally  difpofed  to  fall  in  with  that 
intereft,  than  with  ours.     The  principal  reafon  of  which 
is,  doubtlefs,  this  \  That  our  politic   neighbours  take 
iBUcb  more  pains  to  gain  them  over,  than  our  colonies 
have  hitherto  done.     Nor  can  it  be  thought  a  thing  of 
kfs  impoi'tance  for  us,  by  all  means  that  are  lawful  and 

pra6licable. 


An  EleB'ton-Sermon.  ^ J 

pra<5licable,to  fccure  the  friend(hip  of  the  one,  than  it  is 
to  put  a  ftop  to  the  encroachments  of  the  other.  Indeed, 
whoever  has  the  friendfliip  of  naoft,  or  all,  of  thcfe  na- 
tives, may  probably,  in  time,  become  matters  of  this  part 
of  the  Continent.  Whether  we,  or  they  who  are  now 
making  fuch  a  refolute  pufh  for  it,  Heaven  knows  1  * 

The  warlike  preparations  that  are  made  and  making, 
in  our  fouthern  colonies,  prove  that  they  are  not  unap- 
prehenfive  of  what  may  be  the  confc quence  of  thofe  quick 
advances  &  gigantic  ftrides,which  thcFrench  are  making 
towards  us  ;  rhe  confequence  of  the  ftrid  alliances  they 
are  forming  with  ihofe  Indians  who  are  already  our  ene- 
mies ;  of  their  endeavours  to  fccure  fuch  as  are  yec 
neuters  -,  and  of  their  pradices,  and  many  artifices,  to 
corrupt  thofe  who  are  in  amity  with  us.     We,   furely, 

who 

*  •^'0''  Whether,  if  the  5i'«V/yyor^r<j/a'^a//«'^  the  Go/pel  in  foreign 
Parts,  was  well  acquainted  with  the  ftatc  of  religion  in  thefe  parts 
of  America,  (Jentlemcn  of  fo  great  piety,  charity,  and  loyalty, 
would  not  rather  fend  Miflionaries  among  theSalvages  ;  (by  which 
they  might,  at  once,  both  enlarge  the  Kingdom  of  Chrill,  and  in- 
creafe  the  number  of  his  Majefty's  friends  and  fubjefts)  than  con- 
tinue to  fupport' mifllons  here  ;  where  the  people  are  already 
chriftianized  ;  and  alfo  well  able  to  maintain  their  own  Clergy  ? 
Some  have  fuggefled,  that  the  Gentlemen  of  the  worthy  and  ho- 
nourable Society  mentioned,  are  not  unacquainted  with  thefe  cir- 
cumllances.  But  is  not  this  fuppofition  very  injurious  ?  For  if 
that  is  really  the  cafe,  we  muft  necelfarily  conclude  they  wretchedly 
pervert  the  defign  of  the  Charities  intruded  with  them  ;  and  that 
their  great  aim  in  fupporting  thefe  miffions,  is  not  the  converting 
of  Heathens  to  Chriflianity  ;  but  the  converting  of  Chriilians  of 
other  piotcjiant  denominations,  tO  the  faith  of  the  durch  of  England : 
An  imputation,  fo  irreconcileable  with  their  known  probity, honour 
and  catholicifm.  that  it  can  never  be  believed  ;  and  which  mult 
certainly  bring  fhame  upon  the  authors  %l  it,  in  the  end  ! 


34  -^^  EleSimn- Sermon. 

who  have  always  diftinguifhed  ourfelves  by  a  jealoufy  of 
our  rights ;  by  our  loyalty  ;  and  our  zeal  for  the  com- 
mon intereft  of  hisMajefty's  dominions  on  theContinenti 
We,  furely,  fhall  not  be  inattentive  to  thefe  commotions, 
nor  inadive  when  the  general  good,  yea,the  very  bejng, 
of  all  thefe  colonies  is  threatned.  Shall  not  be  inatten- 
tive and  inaflive,  did  1  fay  ?  We  are  not,  we  cannot  be. 
We'  fee  from  the  late  conduct  of  our  neighbours,  from 
their  recent  encroachments,  and  unprovoked  hoftilitics, 
(unlefs  to  breath  on  our  own  territories  be  a  provocation 
to  fuch  men)  we  fee  from  thefe  things,  in  what  manner 
all  controveriies  about  bounds  &  limits,  are  to  be  fettled  ; 
how  very  amicably !  Punic  faith  !  unlefs  perhaps,  Gallic 
iS  become  fufficiently  proverbial.  No  one  that  is  not 
an  abfolute  flranger  to  their  ambition,  to  their  policy, 
to  their  injuftice,  to  their  pcrfidioufnefs,  can  be  in  any 
doubt  wh^t  they  afpire  at. 

And,  indeed,  the  progrefs  they  have  made  in  a  fliort 
time,  niiglit  feem  ftrange,  were  it  not  for  their  union 
amongft  themfclves,  and  for  the  nature  of  their  govern- 
ment. The  flaves  arc  content  to  ftarve  at  home,  in  or- 
der to  injure  free-men. abroad,  and  to  extend  their  terri- 
tories by  violence  and  ufurpation.  Their  late  conduft 
may  well  alarm  us ;  efpecially  confidering  our  difunion, 
or  at  lead  want  of  a  fufiicient  bond  of  union,  amongft 
ourfelves  :  An  inconvenience,  which,  it  is  to  be  hoped, 

we 


All.  EleBion-Sermon*  35; 

we  fhall  not  always  labour  under.  And  whenever  all 
our  fcattered  rays  (htW  be  drawn  to  a  pomt  and  proper 
focus,  they  can  fcarce  fail  to  confume  and  burn  up  thefe 
enemies  pf  our  peace,  how  faintly  foever  they  may  ftrikc 
fit  prefent.  What  union  can  do,  we'  need  only  look 
towards  thofe  Provinces,  which  are  diftinguifhed  by  the 
name  of  the  unite D,to  know.  But  in  the  mean  time,cach 
government  that  confiders  its  own  true  intcreft,  will  un- 
doubtly  concur  in  fuch  meafures  as  are  necefTary  and 
pradlicable,  for  the  common  fafety. 

Our  prefent  fituation,  my  Fathers,  calls  to  mind  that 
of  the  tribes  of  IfraeU  furrounded  'and  haralTed  by  thcw 
Comm'on  enemies,  at  a  time  when  they  were  under  no 
common  direction.  Then  it  was  that  *'  J«i^^  faid  unto 
*^  Siuiion  his  brother,  come  up  with  me'  into  my  lot, 
"  that  we  may  fight  againfl:  the  Canaanites  -,  and  I  al(b 
*'*  will  go  up  with  thee  into  thy  lot  ;  {o  Simeon  went 
*  with  him.**  Tho'  peace  is  very  defireable,  upon  juft 
and  honourable  terms,  yet  we  know  very  well,  that  God's 
ancient  people  were  not  wont  to  be  frighted  out  of  their 
pofleflions  ;  nor  patiently  to  endure  the  incurfions 
and  ravages  of  tlieir  neighbours.  And  I  am  fure  there 
is  not  a  true  New-England- Man,  whofe  Ke^rt  is  not  al-* 
ready  engaged  in  this  conteft  ;  and'whofe  purfe,  and  his 
arm  alfo,  if  need  be,  is  not  ready  to  be  employed  in  it ; 

in  a  caufe,fo  juft  in  the  fight  of  God  and  man  5  a  caufe, 

fo 


j6  A^  RhElionSerman, 

fo  neceflary  for  our  own  felf-defenfe  -,  a  caufe  whcreia 
our  liberties,  our  religions  our  lives,  our  bodies,  our  fouls, 
are  all  fo  nearly  concernad.  Wc  have,  indeed,  of  late 
done  fomething  to  fecure  ourfelves,  and  are  doing  more. 
We  have  'put  our  ha,nd  to  the  -plough  \  ^d  he  that  looktr 
hiuky  is  fo  far  from  being  worthy  the  privileges  of  a 
iitiztn  of  Heaven^  that  he  is  not  worthy  to  enjoy  tho- 
lights  of  an  J^ngUJhmanf 

We  are  morally  furc  from  the  fleps  which  our  neigh- 
bours are  taking,  that  there  muft,  fooncr  or  later,  be 
fome  great  turn  of  affairs  upon  this  Continent,  which 
will  put  it  out  of  our  power,  or  out  of  theirs,  to  difpute 
about  boundaries  :  A^e  have  heard  their  threats,  and 
infolent  menaces  ;  wc  have  feen  their  more  infolent  be- 
haviour. And  what  a  turn  may.  be  given  to  the. affairs 
of  Europe,  Ihould  Heaven  permit  Gallic  policy  and 
perfidy  to  prevail  here  over  Englilh  valour,  I  need  not 
fay,  and  even  tremble  to  think  !  We  arc  peaceably  ex- 
tending our  fettlements  upon  our  own  territories  \  they 
are  extending  theirs  beyond  their  own,  by  force  of  arms. 
AVe  muft  meet  at  length  ;  which  cannot  be  without  a 
violent  concufion  :  and  the  time  feems  not  to  be  far  off. 
In  Ihort,  their  conduct  muft  be  very  different  from  what 
if  has  all  along  been,  efpecially  of  late,  before  wc  fhall 
have  any  reafon  to  thuik,  that  we  can  live  in  peace  and 
good  neighbourhood  with  thero,  how  much  focver  we 

may 


An  EleEI ton- Sermon,  37 

may  dcfirc  it.  The  continent  is  not  wide  enough  for  ua 
both  ;  and  they  are  refolved  to  have  the  whole. —  The 
Court  o^  Ver failles^  for  extending  the  French  dominions 
in  America,  hath  ever  adopted  this  maxim,  Divide  et 
Jmpera  ;  and,  in  purfuing  it,  hath  (tuck  at  np  meafijrea 
of  perfidy*  *  or  violence,  for  rooting  out  their  neigh- 
bours. 

And  what  horrid  fcene  is  this,  which  reftlefs,  roving 
fancy,  or  fomething  of  an  higher  nature,  prefents  to  me  ; 
and  fo  chijls  my  blood  !  Do  I  behold  thele  territories  of 
freedom,  become  the  prey  of  arbitrary  power  ?  Do  I  fee 
the  motly  armies  of  French  and  paintedSaiyages,  taking 
our  fortrefles,  and  ere6ting  their  own,  even  in  our  capital 
towns  and  cities  !  Do  I  behold  them  fpreadingdefolation 
thro*  the  land  I  Do  I  fee  the  flaves  of  Lewis  with  their 
Indian  allies,  difpoiTeiring  the  free-born  fubjeds  of  King 
George,  of  the  inheritance  received  from  their  fore- 
fathers, and  purchafed  by  them  at  the  expence  of  their 
eafe,  their  treasure,  their  blood  !  To  aggravate  the  in- 
dignity beyond  human  toleration,  do  I  fee  this  goodly 
patrimony  raviflied  from  them,  by  thofe  who  never  knev/ 

F  whac 

*  One  flagrant  indance  of  this,  appears  in  the  murderous  manner  of 
Capt.  Honve^s  being  killed,  in  ilic  year  1750.  at  Chlfz,nefto,  by  a 
party  of  Indiam  in  the  inferell,  and  under  the  dircfiion,  of  rhe 
French,  id  prcfcnce  of  Monlieur  he  Com-,  their  Commandnnr,  when 
Ke  was  received  by  them  under  tlie  protetStion  ot  a  f.ng  of  truce  : 
For  which  outrage,  no  other  caufe  tan  be  aliigned,  than  that  he 
had  dillinguifh'd  himfelf  by  his  adivity  in  the  fcrviceof  his  King 
and  Count'ry,  2g?.in:l  tlie  aiceir.pti  of  the  Frt.-::/:  m  thofe  parts. 


38  An  EhiElon-Sermon, 

what  property  was,  except  by  feizing  that  of  others  for 
an  infatiable  Lord !  Do  I  fee  chriftianity  banifhed  for 
popery  !  the  bible,  for  the  mafs-book  !  the  orades  of 
truth.,  for  fabulous  legends !  Do  I  fee  the  facrcd  Edifices 
crcfled  here  to  the  honour  of  the  true  God,  and  his  Son, 
on  the  ruins  of  pagan  fuperliition  and  idolatry  •,  eredled 
here,  where  ^atari's  feat  was  \  do  I  fee  thefe  facred  Edi- 
fices laid  in  ruins  themfelves  !  and  others  rifino^  in  iheir 
places,  confecrated  tp  the  honour  of  faints  and  angels  ! 
Inftead  of  a  train  of  Chrift's  faithful,  laborious  mfnifters, 
do  I  behold  an  herd  of  lazy  Monks,  and  Jefuits,  and 
Exorcifts,  and  Inquifitors,  and  cowled,  and  uncovvled 
Impoftors  !  Do  I  fee  a  proteftant,  there,  ftealing  a  look 
iat  his  bible,  and  being  taken  in  the  fafl,  punifhed  like 
a' felon  !  "What  indignity  is  yonder  offered  to  the 
matrons  !  and  here,  to  the  virgins !  Is  it  now  a  crime 
to  reverence  the  hoary  head  !  And  is  he  alone  happy, 
that  taketh  the  little  ones,  and  dafheth  them  againft  the 
Hones  !  Do  I  fee  all  liberty,  property,  religion,  happi- 
nefs,  changed,  or  rather  tranfubflantiated,  into  iTavery, 
poverty,  fuperftijtion,  wretchednefs  !  And,  in  fine,  do  I 
hear  the  miferable  fufterers  (thofe  of  them  that  furvive) 
bitterly  accufing  the  negligence  of  the  public  Guardians  ! 
and  charging  all  their  calamities,  leli  upon  the  enemies, 
than  upon  the  fathers,  of  their  country  !  O  diflioneft  ! 
profane  !  execrable  fight  !  O  pierctng  found  !  that  en- 
tereth  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  cf  Sahbaclh  !  Where  I 

in 


An  Ele&ion-Sermor?.  39 

in  what  region  !  in  what  world  am  I  !  Is  this  imagina- 
tion ?  (its  own  bufy  tormentorj  Or  is  it  fomething  more 
divine  ?  I  will  not,  I  cannot  believe 'cis  prophetic  vifion  ; 
or  that  God  has  fo  far  abandoned  us  ! 

And  how  different  a  fcene  is  now  opening  upon  me, 
with  clearer  indications  of  truth  and  reality  !  There,  in- 
folence  &:  injuftice  puniflied  !  Here,  "the  meek  inheriting 
tl>e  earth  !"  Liberty  vi6lorious  !  Slavery  biting  her  own 
chain  !  Pride  brought  dawn  \  Vertue  exalted  !  Chrif- 
tianity  triumphing  over  impofture  !  And  another  Grcac 
Britain  rifing  in  America  !  But  I  muft  not  declare  the 
whole — The  Lord  God  otnnipotcrji  reigneth  I  juji  and  true 
are  all  thy  ivays^  0  thou  King  of  faints.  And  them  that 
imlk  in  pride^  thou  art  able  to  abafe  !  "  What  has  pride 
profited  !  Or  what  good  hath  vaunting  brought  you,'* 
ye  redlefs  dillurbers  of  our  peace  !  What  ^ood,  your 
maffcs  ?  yourrelicks  ?  your  croffings  ?  yourAveMaria''s  ? 
And  to^  which  of  your  faints  will  ye  now  turn  ! 

But  we  are  nor,  my  honoured  Fathers,  to  prefume 
on  God's  pi otedlion,  much  lefs,  on  his  giving  us  any 
fignal  advantages  over  them  that  are  ever  either  planing 
or  executing  mifchief  againft  us,  without  ufing  the  pro- 
per means  for  obtaining  that  protedion,  and  thefe  ad- 
vantages. As  the  apoftle  -faid  to  the  mariners,  after 
alTuring  ihcm  of  deliverance  from  the  impending  dan- 
ger, "  Except  thefe  abide  in  the  fhip,   ye  cannot  be 

faved  ; 


40  An   EleBion-Sennon, 

faved  i"  fo  it  may  be  faid  to  our  Britifli  colonic?,  Ye  can- 
not be  iaved  from  the  ftorm  you  are  now  threatned  with, 
yea,  which  is  already  begun,  excepc  ye  are  at  union 
amokngfl:  your  felves  j  anf  exert  your  ftrength  together, 
for  your  compfion  intereft.  Upon  this  cpndltion,  yoa 
aire  fafe,  even  Vithopt  a  miracle  :  otherwife,  ndthing 
lliorc  of  one  can  fave  you.  And  can  you,  without  the 
Vtmolt  indignation,  think  of  becoming  a  prey  to  thofe 
who  are  fo  much  inferior  to  you  in  all  refpeds,  meerly 
for  want  of  unanimity,  public  fpirit,  the  manly  refolu- 
tion  of  your  fore-fathers,  and  a  little  expence  ! 

It  is  nor,,  may  it  pleafe  your  Excellency,  (for  to  You, 
Sir,  I  mufl:  now  beg  leave  more  particularly  to  diredl  my 
difcourfe  ;  It  i§  not)  one  of  the  leaft  felicities  of  this 
province,  to  have  at  the  Head  of  it,  a  gentleman  fo  well 
acquainted  with  its  true  intereft,fo  capable  of  ferving  it, 
and  fo  heartily  difpofed  to  do  it,  as  we  have  reafon  to 
'think  your  Excellency  is.  We  have  had  experience  of 
your  warm  zeal  for  his  Majefty's  fervice,  and  for  the 
welfare  of  this  his  mofl  loyal  province.  In  the  long  war 
during  your  adminiftration,  had  all  concerned  been,  I 
will  not  prefume  to  fay,equally  faithful,  but,ecjually  fuc- 
cefsful,  neither  the  European,  nor  theAmcrican  Dunkirk9 
would  probably  have  been  a  port  and  fortification  at  this 
day  J  or,  which  is  ftill  better,  they  might  have  been  in 
other  hands  than  they  are  at  prefent.  However  w«,  in 
fome  meafure,reap  the  happy  fruits  of  your  fubjedingthe 

latter 


Aft    RleSi ion-Sir mon,  4 1 

Jatter  of  them  to  the  Britifh  crown,  in  the  change  of  our 
medium  •,  and  are  likely,  by  God's  bleffing,  to  reap 
them  in  much  greater  perfedion  hereafter,  when  time 
has  matured  them.  « 

The  zeal  which  your  Excellency  has  latefy  fhown 
with  relation  to  the  encroachment  and  hoftilities  of  our 
bad  neighbours,  gives  us  aflurancc.  Sir,  that  nothing  will 
be  wanting,  on  your  part,  towarefe  their  meeting  witii 
timely  and  effedual  oppoliciort.  A^A  the  ready  contLfr- 
rence  of  the  other  branches  of  the'legiflature,  with  what 
you  was  pleafed  to  propofe  to  rhe  laft  General  Aflembl/j 
at  once  ihows  the  confidence  that  is  placed  in  you,  and 
fenders  it  probable,  at  leaft,  that  no  necellary  fupplies 
will  be  wanting  hereafter,  in  order  to  prolecute  defignS 
of  this  nature  ;  whether  of  erecfling  fortrelles  for  our  own 
fccurity,  or  of  demolifliing  in  fcafon,  thofe  of  our  injuri- 
ous and  trefpafllng  neighbours.  Crown-  Pointy  Crewn- 
Pointy  will  furely  be  a  lading  Monument  of  the  danger 
of  delays  in  fuch  Cafes  ! 

It  is  upon  your  Excellency,  under  God  and  the  King, 
that  we  chiefly  depend  for  protedtion  and  happir>efs. 
We  are  fenfible  how  much  you  have  the  union  of  thefe 
colonies  at  heart.  Nor  can  we,  without  an  implicit 
taxing  of  your  former  adminiftratian,  which  we  would 
be  far  from  doing,  doubt  but  that,  for  the  future,  you 
will   ufe  all  your  power  and  influence  for  the  good  of 

thfs 


42  An  EleEiion-Sermon, 

this  province  in  particular ;  and  of  all  His  Majcfty's  do- 
minions on  this  Continent  in  general.  You  will  never 
forget,  Sir,  whofe  minifler  you  are  j  what  God,  theKing,. 
and  this  people,  reafonably  expeft  from  You,  confide!* 
ing  the  paternal  relation  in  which  you  (land  towards  us. 

In  fome  refpefts  we  have  peculiar  need  of  a  faithful 
and  Ikilful  pilot  at  this  time.  By  thie  looks  of  the  clouds, 
we  are  to  cxped  bad  weather  j  fuch  as  will  require  an 
experienced  and  refolute  mariner  to  carry  us  fafely  and 
happily  thro'  it.  But  if  that  which  has  the  appearance 
of  along  and  violent  ftorm  gathering,  or  rather  adually 
breaking  upon  us,  fhould  foon  blow  over,  and  leave  us 
a  clear  Jky  ;  yet  even  when  the  Heavens  are  ferene,  and 
the  gale  profperous,  it  demands  at  lead  an  upright  heart, 
(Tuch  a  one  as  we  truft  your  Excellency  is  poffefled  of ) 
to  keep  the  ftate  in  the  right  channel,  and  fleer  her  to 
her  true  felicity. 

And  as  we  are  confident.  Sir,  you  will  in  all  things 
do  the  duty  of  a  good  Governour  towards  us  •,  fo  it  is 
tp  be. hoped,  that  Your  public  fervices  will  never  meet 
with  an  ungrateful  return  from  us.  But  I  may  venture, 
at  lead,  to  aflure  Your  Excellency,  that  none  of  Your 
good  deeds  fhall  be  forgotten  by  our  common  Mafter  in 
Heaven.  He,  whofe  providence  has  put  you  into  this 
place  of  honour  and  truft,  will  furely  recompcnce  all  the 
diligence  and  frde4ity  which  you  have  lliown  in  it  already, 

or 


An  Elec}io?2-Sh'7non.  43 

or  fliall  fliow  hereafter,  at  the  refurre^ion  of  the  jujl. 
Nor  caawe  wifli  You,  Sir,  any  greater  felicity,  than  that 
You  may,  in  every  refpeft,  difcharge  this  important 
truft  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  have  His  approbation  at 
the  laft  ;  and  to  ht  accounted  a  good  and  faithful fervant, 

I  could  not,  with  propriety,  and  in  due  confiftency 
with  the  eftablilhed  form  of  our  government,  apply  my- 
felf  particularly  to  his  Majefty*s  Council  for  theprefent 
political  year,  now  expiring,  unlefs  it  were  with  relation 
to_thc  new  Election  this  afternoon,  wherein  they  are  to 
bear  a  part.  But  having  nothing  to  add  upon  that  fub- 
jc6l,  to  what  has  been  faid  already,  to  them  in  common 
^virh  others  concerned  j  it  is  humbly  hoped,  that  the 
omiflion  of  a  particular  addrefs  to  that  honourableBoard, 
will  not  be  imputed  even  to  forgetfulnefs,  much  lefs,  to 
any  difrefpedb. 

The  honourable  Houfe  of  Reprcfentatives,  at  the 
command  of  whofe  predeceflbrs  it  is,  that  I  appear  in  this 
place,  wifl  indulge  me  in  a  fliorc  application  to  them. 

As  You»  honoured  Gentlemen,  are  delegated  imme- 
diately by  the  good  people  of  the  Province,  to  reprefent, 
and  a6l  for,  them  ;  You  are,  if  poflible,  under  a  nearer 
and  ftriflcr  obligation,  to  regard  their  welfare,  than  the 
other  branches  of  the  legiflature.  You  are  more  particu- 
larly the  guardians  of  their  rights  and  privileges.  It  is, 
therefore,  tp  be  prefumcd,  that  you  will  always  be  zea- 
lous 


^^  An  Ele&mi-Sermon, 

loys  to  maintain  them  ;  and  not  only  io,  but,  in  all 
things,  ftudious  of  their  real  andbeft  intereft.  Private, 
perfonal  intereft.  You  are  very  fenfibie,  has  nothing  to 
do  in  the  fupreme  Court  of  the  province.  You  are  noc 
deputed  hereto  by  your  conftituents,Gentlcmen,that  yoii 
may  profecute  your  particular  interefts,  or  the  interefts 
of  others,  any  farther  than  they  coincide  with  the  com- 
mon good,  and  are  involved  in  it.  Nor  can  you  be  at 
any  lofs,  what  ought  to  be  done  to  the  vile,  mercenary 
tongue,  that  fhould  toil  j  what,  to  the  guilty  hand,  that 
right  hand  of  faljhqcd^  which  fhould  either  be  lifted  up, 
or  kept  down,  tp.ferve  the  particular  ends  of  any  man 
or  party  whatever,  to  the  detriment  of  the  public  !  Such, 
things  are  ipdeed,  almoft  too  infamous  and  horrid,  to  be 
fuppofed  poflible,  in  a  Chriftian  country.  But  aUs  !  in 
is  a  degenerate  world,  if  not  a  corrupt  age  of  it,  that 
we  live  in  ! 

^.  jt^owEVER,  it  were  yej'y  injurious  to  fufpedl,  honoured 
Gentlemen,  but  that  You  are  ail  afiembled  here,  from 
different  parts  of  the  land,  with  upright  views,  and  an 
ardent  love  ro  your  country.  And  if  You  mean  to  ferve 
the  public,  as  doubtlefs  you  do,  you  will  always  Hudy 
the  things  that  make  for  feace^  both  amongft  yourfelves, 
and  with  the  other  branches  of  the  legiflature  :  For  it  is 
by  thefe  things  only,  that  the  common- wealth  is  edified: 
nor,  furely,  by  party  difpures  and  fadlions  •,  not  by  in- 
dulged  animofiiies,  and  (ludicd   oppofuions  ;    which 

greatly 


An    EleEiio72-Scrmon»  4^ 

greatly  dlfhonor  and  weaken  any  government ;  and  have 
both  their  origin  and  end  in  evil.  They  who  promote 
and  foment  them,  have  always  fomerhing  elfe  in  view 
than,  what  they  would  be  tho'c  to  have,  the  public  good. 
This  is,  indeed,  always  the  pretence  •,  but  private  pique, 
or. private  intereft,  or  a  general  temper  and  turn  ^o 
wrangling,  is  at  the  bottom.  It  is,  ufually  at  lead,  the 
purfuit  of  feperate,  diftin6l  interefts,  and  a  want  of  pub- 
lic fpirit,  that  is  the  fource  of  party  and  contentions  ia 
any  ftate.  When  all  are  united  heartily  in  the  main 
end,  having  nothing  fo  much  in  view,  as  the  good  of  the 
public  i  party  names,diftin£lions,  and  difputcs,  vanifhof 
courfe  ;  and  that  unanimity  and  harmony  take  place, 
which  give  both  beauty  and  ftrengih  to  government  ; 
and  without  which,  the  public  affairs  cannot  be  carried 
on,  to  advantage.  A  public  fpirit,  is  a  fpirit  of  union  ; 
and  union  is  the  fource  of  public  happinefs :  and  public 
happinefs  is  the  great  end  which  you  (hould  have  in 
view. 

As  you,  honoured  Gentlemen,  have  a  diflinfl  part  in 
the  legiflature,  nothing  confiderable  can  be  done  without: 
You,  for  the  public  good  •,  and  I  may  add,  or  contrary 
to  it  :  tho'  I  am  far  from  thinking,  that  this  is  defigned 
by  any.  God  forbid  !  But  the  granting  of  monies,  a 
thing  of  the  utmoft  importance,  lies  more  immediateJy 
with  Tqu.     And  liio'  you  will  always  have  a  tender  con- 

G  ccrn 


I 


46  An  EkBion-Sermon, 

cern  for  the  intereft  of  your  refpeftive  conftituents,  yet 
You  will  have  a  greater,  for  the  good  of  the  whole  Pro- 
vince j  to  be  fure,  for  the  common  intereft  of  his  Ma- 
jefty's  dominions  on  this  Continent.  Nor  will  You  be 
over  thrifty,  when  that  calls  for  liberality.  And  this 
will  probably  be  the  cafe  before  it  is  long,  if  it  is 
not  actually  fo  already. 

I  fpeak  now  with  particular  reference  to  the  neceflary 
defence  of  this,  and  all  thefe  colonies,  againft  thofe  who 
are  making  inroads  upon  us ;  and  who  have,  even  with- 
in the  fpace  of  a  few  weeks,  had  the  hardinefs  to  commit 
fuch  hoftilities  as  are  not  to  be  endured,    unlefs  we  are 
determined  to  fit  down  in  inglorious  eafe,  and  patiently 
to    look   on,'  while  our   trade  with  the  natives  is  ra- 
vifhed  from  us  -,  our  fortrefTes,  taken  ;  our  friends  and 
.brethren,  captivated,  butchered,  fcalped  •,  our  fields,  laid 
wafle ;  our  territories,  pofTefTed  by  thofe  that  hate  us ; 
and  the  Britifh  interefl  on  the  Continent  brought  to  no- 
thing.    Peace  is  a  great  blefling  ;  peace  is   what  we 
would  chufe  j  peace  is  the  d^fire  of  all  who  deferve  the 
name  of  Chriftians.    But  fliall  the  trumpet  fleep  ?  Shall 
the  fword  ruft  ?  Shall  our  gold  and  filver  lye  cankering 
in  cur  coffers  ?  Shall  our  military  garments   be  moth- 
eaten  for  want  of  ufe,  when  fuch  things  are  doing  !  It  is 
impoftible,  Gentlemen,  you  fliould  be  any  ways  back- 
ward, or  parfimonious,   in  fuch  a  caufe  as  this  j,  a  caufe 

whereift 


An  EleBion-Serjnon,  47 

wherein  the  glory  of  God,  the  honour  of  your  King,  and 
the  good  of  your  country,  are  fo  deeply  concerned  \  \ 
ir.ight  perhaps  add,  a  caufe,  whereon  the  hberties  ot  Eu- 
rope depend.  For  of  fo  great  confequence  is  the  empire 
of  North  America,  (and  that,  you  are  fenfible,  is  the 
thing  now  aimed  at  by  our  neighbours)  that  it  mult  turn 
the  fcale  of  power  greatly  in  favour  of  theonlyMonarch, 
from  whom  ihofe  liberties  are  in  danger  -,  and  againit 
that  Prince,  who  is  the  grand  fupport  and  bulwark  of 
them.  Confider  then.  Gentlemen,  in  the  name  of  God, 
conHdcr,  what  you  owe  Him,  and'to  your  holy  religion  -, 
whatjto  the  pioteftant  intereft  in  general  •,  what,  to  your 
King  and  to  Great- Britain,  in  particular  -,  what,  to  your 
^native  <:ounrry  -,  what,  to  the  honour  of  yourAnceflors  j 
what,  to  the  prefent  generation  j  what,  to  future  ones  ; 
what,  to  yourfclvcs  •,  and  what,  to  thofe  whom  the  God 
of  nature  has  made  dearer  to  you  than  yourfelves, 
your  children.  It  is  even  uncertain.  Gentlemen,  how 
long  you  will  have  an  Uoufe  to  fit  in,  unlefs  a  fpeedy 
and  vigorous  oppofition  is  made  to  tlie  prefent  encroach- 
ments,and  to  the  farther  defigns,  of  our  enemies  !  This, 
furely,  is  not  a  time  to  be  laving,  unlefs  in  our  private 
expences. 

And  while  I  am  Ipeaking  of  grants  for  the  common 
good,  I  cannot  but  juft  add.  That  neither  the  honour  of 
the  riovince  can  be  promoted,  at  prefent,  nor  Jts  true 

G.  2  intereO:, 


48  A71  EleEiion-Sennon, 

intcrcfl,  in  the  end,   by  great  parfimony  towards  thofe 

who  fervc  the  public  in  a  pubhc  capacity  \  and  receive 

falaries  from  it.     There  is  another  thing  which  I  would 

beg  leave  to  hint  at  here.     So  far,  honoured  Gentlemen, 

as  fixing  the  proportion  which  the  different  parts  of  the 

Community  are  relpedively  to  bear  in  the  public  Ex- 

pences,  lies  with  You,   You  will  doubtlefs  be  far  from 

defiring,  that  any  particular  part,  fhould  bear  a  greater 

proportion  than  is  juft  and  equal  ;  being  regulated  by 

its  ability  and  circumftances  relatively  confidered.     You 

are  too  religious,  juft' and  impartial  to  defire  this,  -f 

In 

•\  A  certain  part  of  this  Community  (wbich  furely  there  is  no  need 
of  mentioning!)  has  fallen  under  fuch  great  decays  and  difficuhicj 
cf  late,  thro'  that  fame  Providence,  which  has  bi^en  fmiling  upon 
the  other  p.irts  of  the  Province  ;  that  I  verily  believe  righteous 
Hea\fn  will  be  jufliy  and  greatly  provoked,  unlefi  fonie  pity  and 
relief  is  afforded  to  it.  Voor  BOSTON  !  once  the  Glory  of  Britifh 
America,  What  art  thou  coming  to  !  What,  rather,  art  thou  come 
10  already  I 

A  marginal  note,  omitted  in  its  proper  place,  page  30.  whe|(B 
the  introducing  of  foreigners  is  fpoken  of,  is  inferted  here,  as 
follpweth. 

^  Tho'  the  Province  alluded  to,  has  in  faft  been  made  both  populous 
iind  rich,  by  the  inirodia'tion  of  foreigners;  yet  it  is  apprehended, 
thai;  fome  inconveniencies  may  arife  hereafter,  if  they  have  not 
arifen  already,  for  want  of  due  precaution  in  the  diilribution  of 
them,  Sec.  Which  inconveniencies  will,  doubtlefs,  be  guarded 
againil,  by  any  others  of  our  Britilh  Colonies  and  Plantations.vvhich 
/liaH  bring  in  qrcat  numbers  of  fuch  Settlers ;  this  not  being  im- 
pradicable,  tho'  there  may  be  fome  difficulty  attending  it.  And 
altho'  it  fhould  be  tho't,  that  the  Germans  in  Penfyhania,  howevfir 
they  had  been  difpos'd  of,  and  whatever  precautions  h«.d  been 
taken  with  regard  to  them,  are  too  numerous  in  proportion  to  the 
other  Inhabitants ;  yet  the  Province  of  the  Majfuchufitu  is  already 
lb  populous  with  EngU/h,  that  there  feems  not  to  be  the  lead,  or 
s?icrt  remote,  danger  here,  of  too  large  importations  cf  this  nature. 


An  Rleciton-Sermon,  49 

In  fine,  honoured  Gentlemen,  I  perfwade  myfelf,  that 
you  will,  in  all  your  debates  and  confultations,  in  all  you 
do  in  your  political,  as  well  as  private  capacity,  remem- 
ber you  are  to  give  an  account  of  yourfelves  to  the  all- 
knowing,  all  i Lift,  and  impartial  Judge  of  the  world. 
And  if  you  keep  this  moft  folemn  and  awful  truth  up- 
permoft  in  your  minds,  it  will  be  almoft  impoffible  for 
you  to  do  amifs.  You  will  then  a<5t,  in  all  refpefts,  with 
fuch  a  difintereiled  view  to  the  common  good  of  your 
country  ;  with  fuch  unblemiflied,  irreproachable  integ- 
rity, as  will  be  both  acceptable  to  God  your  Saviour, 
and  to  thofe  for  whom  you  a6t  •,  with  fuch  prudence  and 
fidelity,  at  lead,  as  will  afford  no.  handle  to  perfons  of 
captious  tempers,  .iwA  licentious  tongues,  under  the  pre- 
text of  blaming /<?r«w  lloufes^  to  couch  a  real  and  juft 
farcafm  on  the  prefent. 

If  any  thing  has  been  faid  in  this  difcourfc,  not  fufii- 
ciently  contormable  to  the  ufual  ilyle  of  the  pulpit  ;  if, 
any  thing  that  approaches  too  near  to  politicks  ;  if  the 
difcourfe  has  not  been  enough  confined  to  matters  alto- 
gether fpiritual  j  if  our  temporal  and  worldly  concern- 
ments have  been  too  long  dwelt  upon  •,  in  fine,if  there  has 
been  any  greater  liberty  of  fpeech  ufed  ;  if,  any  greater 
pathos  of  expreflion,  than  becomes  an  Englifh  fubjedt, 
a  lover  of  his  country,  and  a  proteftant  Minifter,  upon 
fuch  an  occafion,  and  at  fuch  a  jundure,  as  theprefent ; 

if 


50  ^^  KleEiion-Sermon* 

if  this  is  the  cafe,  as  perhaps  ic  is,  the  great  candor  of 
the  audience  is  humbly  relied  on,  to  malce  the  mt)ji  fa- 
I'ourable  apology,  that  the  nature  of  the  thing  will  admit 
of,  for  him  that  has  thus  tranfgrefred.  And  that  will 
be,  at  leaft,  as  good  a  one,  as  any  he  could  make  for 
himfelf,  fliould  he  attempt  one.  But  an  apology  would 
certainly  be  necefTary  in  another  refped:,  were  this  dif- 
courfe  protraded  to  a  much  greater  length.  My  Re- 
verend fathers  and  brethren  in  the  miniliry,  will  there- 
fore readily  excufe  me,  if  I  do  not  honour  myfelf  by  a 
particular  addrefs  to  them,  as  is  culiomary  upon  thefe 
occafions  :  Tho'  the  fubjed:  I  have  been  upon,  is  very 
applicable,  not  only  to  civil  Rulers  -,  but  alfo  to  thofe 
whom  our  bleffed  Lord  has  counted Jaithful,  putting  them 
into  the  minifiry. 

However,  I  cannot  conclude  without  juft  reminding 
this  great  airembly,   That  all  men  have  certain  talents"*^ 
committed  to  them,  for  which  they  are  accountable  to 
him  that  gave  them.     The  leaft  and  loweft  of  us  need  ■ 
not  live  without  honouring  God,  in  fome  way  or  other,  ' 
and  being,  in  a  degree,  ferviceable  to  the  world.     Nor 
fhall  any  one  that  is  faithful  to  his  truft,  lofe  his  reward  ; 
tho'  he  is  fo  far  from  being  in  a  capacity  to  do  great  and 
extenfive  good  in  his  generation,  that  he  can  only  "  give 
"  a  cup  of  cold  water  to  a  difciple  in  the  name  of  a 
"  difciple."  For  "  if  there  be  firft  a  willing  mind,  it  is 

*^  accepted 


A71  EleEl  ion-Sermon*  51 

**  accepted  according  to  that  a  man  hath,  and  not  ac-  , 
•*  cording  to  that  lie  hath  not."  "  As  we  have  many 
"  members  in  one  body,  and  all  members  have  not  the 
"  fame  office  ;  fo  we,  being  many,  are  one  body  in 
"  Chrill,  and  members  one  of  another.  Having  then 
*'  gifts  differing  according  to  the  grace  that  is  given 
"  to  us,whether  minift:ry.,let  us  wait  on  our  miniftring  ; 
*'  or  he  that  exhorteth,  on  exhortation  i  he  that  giveth, 
*'  let  him  do  it  in  fimplicity  -,  he  that  ruleth,  with  dili- 
*'  gence  ;"  And,  in  all  of  us,  let  love  be  without  difii- 
"  mulation,"  while  we  "  abhor  that  which  is  evil,  and 
"  cleave  to  that  which  is  good."  Thus,  thro'  faith, and 
patience  in  well  doing,  fliall  we  at  lengrh  "  inherit  the 
**  promifes :"  for  "  he  is  faithful  that  has  promifed." 

We  mull  unavoidably  concern  ourfelves,  in  fome 
meafure,  about  the  things  of  this  mortal  life,  fo  long  as 
I  fliall  pleafe  the  Father  of  fpirits  to  continue  us  in  it* 
But  our  great  intereft  lies  in  another  region,  far  beyond 
the  fphere  and  verge  of  mortality.  And  whofoever  is 
faithful  to  the  death,  fliall  receive  a  crown  of  life,  that 
fadeth  not.  There  is  nothing  here.  Men,  Brethren  and 
Fathers  !  there  is  nothing  here,  that  can  claim  our 
highefl:  love  and  affedions.  "  All  that  cometh  is  vanity.'* 
Riches  take  to  themfelves  wings  •,  pleafures  pall  ; 
"  favour  is  deceitful,  and  beauty  is  vain."  "  All  things 
"  are  full  of  change,"  and  in  perpetual  rotation.  "  The 
"  fafliion  of  the  world  pafll-th  away  •,"  and  God  alone 


An    'EleEliQ72--$fi^ 


_r2  J^n  h.lettto72-^^mo7i> 

IS  without  i;flm^/f»(/},  and  padow  of  turning.     Even  all 
the  kingdoms*  of  the  earth,  tho'  they  hqd  their  foundati- 
ons laid  in  iron  and  brafs  &  adamant,muft  fooner  or  later, 
be  diflblved  ;  and.  their  place  be  no  where  found.     All 
empire  fhall  be  blotted  out,excepting  His,  *'  of  whom, 
*«  and  thro*  whom,  and  to  whom,  are  all  things.*'     All 
fhall  terminate   in  a  Monarchy^  truly  miverfal.     The 
kingdom  of  the  glorious  Mediator,  fliall  firft  break  in 
pieces,  confume,  and  ajbforb  all  inferiour  ones.     And 
when  He  fhall  have  ''  put  down  all   rule,  and    all  au~ 
*'  thority,  and  power,  and  fubdued  all  things  unto  him- 
"  felf,  then  cometh  the  end,"  when,  as  the  fcriptures 
inform  us,    even  He    fhall    no   longer    reign  -,    but 
"  deliver  up  the  kingdom  to  GOD,  even  the  Father,' 
«'  that  put  all  things  under  him  ;  that  GOD  may  be 
*«  All  in  All." 

THE     END. 


pRPOJiS  of  the  Prefs,  that  have  efcafed,   an  Itft   to  tht  JuJgmtHfi- 
and  Candor  of  the  Befldcr  to  corvcii. 


i 


